Ex-Liverpool star comes out of retirement to join Craig Bellamy's Wales squad
Joe Allen has reversed his decision to retire from international football and will join up with the Wales squad for their upcoming Nations League matches.
Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has reversed his decision to hang up his international boots and will now bolster Wales in their imminent Nations League showdowns with Iceland and Montenegro.
After bowing out from the global stage in February 2023, citing "time and injuries" as culprits for his exit, the seasoned 34-year-old has been charmed back into the Welsh contingent by new gaffer Craig Bellamy, a previous team-mate on the pitch.
Despite not yet spearheading Swansea's line-up this term and being reduced to fleeting appearances off the bench for the Championship outfit, the 74-cap maestro is set to don the national jersey once again.
Upon initial retirement from the Welsh squad under then-chief Rob Page nearly two decades past, Allen had expressed: "Playing for Wales has been a great passion and love in my life, I have been extremely fortunate.
"Our nation's support is inspiring, and it has given me immense pride to wear the shirt... so many unforgettable experiences. Unfortunately, time and injuries take their toll and so it's time for me to make way for our next generation. The future of Welsh football is bright."
Swansea midfielder Allen's legacy as an eminent figure in Wales' football history stands uncontested.
Joe Allen has come out of international retirement to play for Wales again (Nick Potts/PA) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
His contributions during Wales' fairytale journey to the Euro 2016 semi-finals were instrumental - subsequently securing a spot in the tournament's all-star lineup.
The ex-Liverpool and Stoke man also made his mark at both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, albeit his Qatar campaign was marred by physical setbacks.
Bellamy has unveiled a 25-strong team for the journey to Iceland on October 11 and Montenegro's arrival in Cardiff three days later.
The comeback of Allen is opportune, as fellow midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu are sidelined due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively.
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Sheffield United defender Rhys Norrington-Davies makes a return to the squad after a two-year absence caused by injury problems.
Bournemouth forward David Brooks and Ipswich duo Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns also make a comeback after missing the initial stages of the Nations League campaign.
Bellamy kicked off his tenure last month with an impressive 0-0 stalemate at home against Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey and a 2-1 victory in Montenegro in Group B4.
Full Wales squad
D Ward (Leicester), A Davies (Sheff Utd), K Darlow (Leeds), R Norrington-Davies (Sheff Utd), O Beck (Blackburn, on loan from Liverpool), B Davies (Tottenham), B Cabango (Swansea), J Rodon (Leeds), C Mepham (Sunderland, on loan from Bournemouth), C Roberts (Burnley), N Williams (Nottingham Forest), J Allen (Swansea), J Sheehan (Bolton), J James (Rennes), O Cooper (Swansea), S Thomas (Nantes, on loan from Huddersfield), W Burns, N Broadhead (both Ipswich), D Brooks (Bournemouth), B Johnson (Tottenham), H Wilson (Fulham), K Moore (Sheff Utd), M Harris (Oxford), L Koumas (Stoke, on loan from Liverpool), L Cullen (Swansea).
