Euro 2016: Wales' Williams fit to face Belgium

Wales coach Chris Coleman has stated that captain Ashley Williams will be fit to play against Belgium in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals on Friday.


Williams was in visible discomfort after colliding with team-mate Jonny Williams in the final stages of the 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on Saturday and played the last 10 minutes with his arm almost motionless.

A photo released later of the team celebrating in the changing room showed the Swansea centre-half with his arm in a sling, prompting fans to fear the worst with his injury.

Coleman, however, told reporters on Monday the Wales captain is expected to be fit to play in Friday night's quarter-final against Belgium in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.

He said: "We think it was when he fell actually, collided with Jonny and he fell and landed on his hand but with a straight arm, which caused a bit of an impact on his shoulder.

"But he'll be OK. Ash'll be fine. He's a bit bruised and sore, but Ash'll be OK."

Coleman denied rumours that Williams had dislocated his shoulder.

"No, that's not the case," he said. "It sounds better, doesn't it? 'He played with a dislocated shoulder, and he would have if we'd let him...' - but that's not true.

"He's probably a little bit more sore today than yesterday just because of the timing, 48 hours after the game, but we'll get him onto the grass as soon as we can. That probably won't be for another day or two.

"I wouldn't say he's a worry or a doubt but we need to look after him. I'd be surprised if he doesn't make the game, so we'll do whatever we need to, give him whatever he needs physically as the best stimulus to get his legs moving and ready for the next game.

"I wouldn't drop him. You have to have faith in your captain and I've got unlimited faith in Ash. I wanted to take him off because he couldn't move his shoulder, and we had James Collins waiting to take the call on the pitch, which wasn't a problem.

"Ash being Ash, he didn't want to come off and you have to trust your captain. I think we were right to do that. He thrives on that."