Wales boss addresses Leeds United pair's 'frame of mind' after Championship play-off heartbreak

Wales manager Rob Page insists the ‘bitterly disappointed’ Dan James and Ethan Ampadu have recovered from Leeds United’s play-off heartbreak in time for this week’s international action.

James and Ampadu were part of a four-strong Welsh contingent to taste defeat at Wembley last month as Leeds were beaten 1-0 by Southampton in the Championship play-off final. Daniel Farke’s men looked on course for automatic promotion at points earlier in the campaign but stumbled at the worst possible time and now face another year of second-tier football.

Wales will not be heading to Euro 2024 this summer, having lost on penalties to Poland in the deciding qualifier in March, but face UEFA minnows Gibraltar and Slovakia in a pair of friendlies on Thursday and Sunday respectively. James and Ampadu joined up with their compatriots this week and Page has seen enough to trust they are mentally ready to feature.

“They will be bitterly disappointed finishing off the season in the manner they did," Page told reporters. "Potentially going up automatically and having to deal with the play-offs is always hard and then to get to the final and losing it. But they are good lads, they are strong mentally and as disappointed as they will be, they will be in the right frame of mind ready to go.”

It looks as though Ampadu will lead his country out against Gibraltar, aged just 23, with regular captain Aaron Ramsay and vice-captain Ben Davies both out injured. The versatile Welshman has worn the armband for much of the second-half of the season at Leeds in a similar situation, with neither club captain Liam Cooper or second-choice Pascal Struijk featuring.

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Two players who are seemingly not ready to play are Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts, with the pair informing Page of their decision to withdraw from the squad. The reason for their absence is unknown but both are currently facing uncertain futures after seeing their loan spells at Elland Road end in disappointment.

But James and Ampadu will be joined by another familiar face when Wales fly to the Algarve, with 17-year-old Charlie Crew a surprise addition. The midfielder is yet to make a senior appearance at club level - he has been a presence on the bench three times - but performances with Leeds under-21s has proven enough for a call-up and potential international debut.

Page described the teenager as ‘special’ earlier this week and after speaking with Wales under-21 coaches Mattie Jones and Rich Williams, is keen to get a first-hand look at the Leeds academy talent. It is unclear whether a first cap will be won but to do so without a senior club-level appearance would be some achievement.

Elsewhere, midfielder Glen Kamara has pulled out of the Finland squad for their upcoming friendlies after suffering a leg injury. His usual partner in the middle of the park, Ilia Gruev, has joined up with the Bulgarian national team. Neither nation qualified for this summer’s tournament in Germany. Cooper is part of the preliminary Scotland squad who face Gibraltar this evening before Finland on Friday. Steve Clarke’s men kick-off Euro 2024 against hosts Germany on Friday, June 14.