Wales confirm massive Joe Rodon decision amid 10-week Leeds United injury absence
The Leeds United centre-back hasn’t played for over two months due to a hamstring injury.
Leeds United defender Joe Rodon has been called up for Wales despite not playing for almost 10 weeks due to injury.
Rodon pulled up during the first-half of Leeds’ 1-1 draw at home to Brentford in early September. The centre-back was in a lot of pain and looked devastated when trudging around the Elland Road pitch.
Manager Daniel Farke later confirmed a serious hamstring injury would keep Rodon out for around eight to 10 weeks. This weekend marks the end of that initial prognosis.
Farke revealed last week Rodon had been part-integrated back into team training although the trip to Bournemouth for an eventual 2-0 defeat came too soon. The 29-year-old remains a doubt for Saturday’s meeting with former club Tottenham Hotspur.
On Wednesday morning, Wales boss Craig Bellamy confirmed his squad for the upcoming international break with long-term absentee Rodon named among the group. The Whites defender joins teammates Ethan Ampadu, Harry Wilson, Daniel James and Under-21s star Jayden Lienou.
Wales have two Nations League matches to look forward to this month. They travel to Oslo to face Norway on Saturday November 14 before hosting Portugal at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday November 17.
Rodon missed the extended international break through September and October due to his injury and is one of two Leeds returnees to the squad. Wilson was also absent from Bellamy’s group due to a quad injury that kept him out for a few weeks.
With what is hoped to have been a full week of at least part-integrated team training, Rodon has a chance to be involved against former club Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime. Farke will likely be quizzed on his Welsh warrior when he speaks to the media later this week.