MX23RW : Monday, April 29 00:19:45| >> :600:2784131:2784131:

Robert Earnshaw confident Ryan Giggs absence will not affect Wales

Robert Earnshaw confident Ryan Giggs absence will not affect Wales
© Reuters
The Dragons are preparing for Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw believes the current squad will not be "missing a beat" over manager Ryan Giggs' absence.

Giggs missed Thursday's goalless draw with the United States following his arrest over an alleged row with girlfriend Kate Greville at his Manchester home on November 1.

The 46-year-old has denied the allegation of assault made against him and will miss the Nations League ties against the Republic of Ireland and Finland as Greater Manchester Police continues its investigation into the matter.

Ryan Giggs File Photo
Wales manager Ryan Giggs will not be present for the Nations League ties against the Republic of Ireland and Finland (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Giggs' assistant, Robert Page, is in charge for the three games and Earnshaw told the PA news agency: "As a player you're in that situation on the basis of being a professional and applying yourself whether the manager's there or not.

"This is the highest level of professional players we've ever had in different areas. They are excellent players of course, but they also apply themselves correctly.

"I don't see those Wales players missing a beat because they are there for their national team playing the best that they can.

"There's positions where players need to impress and get into the team. I see them as being more than professional."

Soccer – UEFA Euro 2012 – Qualifying – Group G – England v Wales – Wales Training Session – Wembley Stadium
Gareth Bale (centre) and Robert Earnshaw (right) were Wales team-mates (Nick Potts/PA)

Earnshaw won 59 caps in a 10-year Wales career and played alongside the likes of Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey.

He says senior players have always embraced responsibility whoever the manager might be.

"Gareth has become who he is by taking responsibility," said Earnshaw, who is completing his UEFA Pro Licence course with the FAW Trust after spending time coaching at American side Fresno FC.

"He is able to handle the pressure that comes with being great. You have to be mentally in the right position to consistently produce to a high level.

Wales v USA – International Friendly – Liberty Stadium
Robert Page has taken caretaker charge of Wales in the absence of manager Ryan Giggs (David Davies/PA)

"I've sat next to these players in the dressing room, I've watched them train and seen their personalities.

"They are great characters and you know they are always going to be ready."

Page won 41 caps for Wales as a no-nonsense central defender and cut his managerial teeth in the lower leagues at Port Vale and Northampton.

The 46-year-old became Wales Under-21 manager in 2017 and joined Giggs' coaching staff in August 2019 following Osian Roberts' move to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

Wales v USA – International Friendly – Liberty Stadium
Wales were held to a 0-0 draw by the United States in a Swansea friendly on Thursday (David Davies/PA)

Earnshaw said of his former team-mate: "Rob's a great guy and there will be no problem in him stepping in for Ryan.

"He's been the link between the first team and the youth over the last few years and knows the set-up.

"I don't think the preparation will be any different to how it's been in the last year since he's been involved and it's a good coaching staff they have there.

"They've had good results over the last year or so and they'll be fine."

ID:422150: cacheID:422150:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9794:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wales caretaker manager Robert Page pictured on November 12, 2020
Read Next:
Robert Page not bothered by Gareth Bale golf-watching claims
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!