Sheffield United's Rhys Norrington-Davies gets chance to stake claim for Euro 2020 spot after being called up for Wales training camp

Rhys Norrington-Davies, the Sheffield United defender, will have a chance to press his claim for a spot in the Wales squad for this summer’s European Championships after being called up by Robert Page for a 28-man Euros preparation camp in Portugal.
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The youngster, who spent last season on loan at Luton Town and Stoke City in the Championship, has been included alongside former Blades loanee Ethan Ampadu, who will return to his parent club Chelsea following the conclusion of his temporary spell at Bramall Lane.

Norrington-Davies was called up to a training camp at Cardiff last week, and 15 players who were a part of that gathering will join their teammates whose respective seasons ended at the weekend to board the flight to Portugal.

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"This training camp will be an opportunity for the team to prepare for the upcoming friendly matches against France and Albania,” a Wales statement read.

"This will also be the last opportunity to impress the coaching staff to be included in the final 26 player EURO squad.

“The training camp will be taking place in the Algarve region between 24-29 of May. The side last visited Portugal for a training camp in 2019. Page will then be announcing his squad for EURO 2020 on Sunday 30 May.”

Page, of course, is a former Blades defender who continues in temporary charge of his country in Ryan Giggs’ absence.

Sheffield United's Rhys Norrington-Davies in action for Wales: Stu Forster/Getty ImagesSheffield United's Rhys Norrington-Davies in action for Wales: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Sheffield United's Rhys Norrington-Davies in action for Wales: Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Manchester United winger Daniel James will be missing as he prepares for the Europa League final, while Swansea duo Connor Roberts and Ben Cabango, Lincoln midfielder Brennan Johnson and Newport pair Josh Sheehan and Tom King are on play-off final duty with their respective clubs.

Hal Robson-Kanu was also conspicuous by his absence as the squad was named. The West Brom striker, who along with Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts, was sent home after breaking a curfew at the team hotel ahead of March's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic and was not included in the 28-man party on Monday, unlike the other two.

Robson Kanu, who retired from international football in 2018 but then made himself available again, scored one of the most famous goals in the nation's football history in the 3-1 victory over Belgium as Wales made it to the last four at Euro 2016.

He is also in form having scored twice in his last three Premier League appearances for the Baggies against Liverpool and Leeds.

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Wales will warm up for the tournament with friendlies against France in Nice on June 2 and Albania at the Cardiff City Stadium three days later.

They open their Group A campaign against Switzerland in Baku on June 12 and face Turkey four days later before meeting Italy in Rome on June 20.

Training camp squad: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Leicester), Adam Davies (Stoke), James Lawrence (St Pauli), Ben Davies, Joe Rodon (both Tottenham), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Chris Gunter (Charlton), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Joe Allen (Stoke), Joe Morrell (Luton), Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea), Matthew Smith (Manchester City), Jonathan Williams, Kieffer Moore (both Cardiff), Aaron Ramsey (Juventus), Harry Wilson (Liverpool), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Tyler Roberts (Leeds), Tom Lawrence (Derby), Rabbi Matondo (Schalke), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Tom Lockyer (Luton), Rubin Colwill, Mark Harris (both Cardiff), George Thomas (QPR).

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