In-form Bristol Rovers star misses out on Wales World Cup squad - Tom Lockyer makes cut

Aaron Collins misses out on representing Wales at the World Cup after Rob Page snubbed him
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Aaron Collins has not been named in Wales’ 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar. His exclusion will make him available for Bristol Rovers’ fixtures over the next four weeks.

Welsh national team manager Rob Page on this occasion has opted to go with a squad that has featured for him for most of his tenure. His squad includes the likes of five-time Champions League winner Gareth Bale, as well as ex-Rovers loanee Connor Roberts. Roberts, 27, now plays for Vincent Kompany - played five times for the Gas after joining on a six-month loan deal in August 2016, and has since gone on to play in the Premier League.

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Collins' form in League One this season had seen him spoken about as a potential wildcard for Rob Page. Collins has scored nine goals and created six goals in 17 matches for the Gas, making him their most productive player.

Joey Barton had anticipated Collins call-up and the signing of Scott Sinclair was partly motivated by the prospect of being without his talisman for at least three weeks. Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison had also tipped him to feature, suggesting that he could be an unknown quantity for the opposition.

Collins' absence from the side will make him available for Bristol Rovers' League One matches with Peterborough United and Bolton Wanderers, as well as their FA Cup tie with Boreham Wood. Rovers also have an EFL Trophy match scheduled for Tuesday, November 22 which will be away from home. League One and League Two as well as the non-league will continue whilst the Premier League and Championship goes on a four-week recess.

League Two players Chris Gunter and Jonny Williams, who play for AFC Wimbledon and Swindon Town, are included. Gunter has made 109 appearances for the Red Dragons and is their all-time appearance maker.

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Tom Lockyer, who made 285 appearances for the Gas makes the squad. Lockyer has since moved to Luton Town and made 15 league appearances this term. He is gearing up for his second consecutive major tournament after making the cut for EURO 2020.

Wales are in the same group as England and the two will meet at the Al Rayyan Stadium on November 29 in their final group stage match. Their other opponents include Iran and the United States, with Wales playing Iran first and the USA second.

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