Ethan Ampadu ‘gutted’ to be banned for Wales v North Macedonia

Former Wales captain Ashley Williams sympathised with Ampadu, telling BBC Match of the Day Wales: “I didn’t think Ethan Ampadu’s was a yellow.

“He has every right to go for the ball. His foot’s high, so is the other player’s foot, and [Ampadu] gets to the ball first. I don’t even think it’s a foul.”

As head coach Craig Bellamy has previously explained, Wales are not blessed with many central midfielders even when everyone is available.

It is a major blow, therefore, to be without both members of their first-choice pairing against North Macedonia.

“It’s disappointing to get booked,” said James. “You don’t think about it on the pitch, they were on the counter-attack and I had to stop it.

“I think we have enough in the squad to win it on Tuesday. I am disappointed, but I’ll be supporting the lads from the sidelines.”

Bellamy had to watch from the stands in Liechtenstein because he was suspended after receiving a second yellow card of the campaign for dissent during last month’s defeat by Belgium, meaning assistant boss Piet Cremers led the team in his absence.

“We will adapt [without James and Ampadu]. We have a big group. They have all played before,” said Cremers.

“It’s going to be a hard game [against North Macedonia]. They have had some really good results. It’s important we create some opportunities and stay patient.”