Ben Davies: The Tottenham defender is a doubt for Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifiers

There are doubts about defender Ben Davies’ participation in Wales’ World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia next month.

The 32-year-old captained Wales as he made his 100th cap in a 4-2 World Cup qualifying loss to Belgium on October 13, but was forced off in the second half with a hamstring problem.

Tottenham Hotspur coach Thomas Frank has confirmed that Davies could be sidelined for some time due to injury.

Frank told the club media ahead of Tottenham’s Champions League match in Monaco: “Ben Davies will be absent due to a hamstring injury. It could take weeks.”

Wales travel to Liechtenstein on Saturday 15 November, then host North Macedonia in Cardiff the following Tuesday.

Coach Craig Bellamy’s team realizes that it is now realistically playing for second place in Group 10, and must win both matches if it wants to snatch the runner-up spot from North Macedonia, which will guarantee its place in the World Cup qualifiers.

Wales is expected to win against Liechtenstein, which occupies last place in the group without a point and has not scored any goals so far in the qualifiers.

But Davies’ absence from the defense against second-placed North Macedonia will reduce Wales’ chances of overtaking them, and Bellamy will hope he can regain his fitness in time for the decider on November 18 at Cardiff City.