Joe Allen: Wales recall would be a ‘no-brainer’ – Owain Tudur Jones

It was after the latter tournament that Allen opted to step down from Wales duty, aged 32, saying that “time and injuries” had taken their toll after 13 years as part of the senior national team.

However, Allen said in the lead-up to Euro 2024 – which Wales ended up missing after a play-off defeat by Poland – that he would “never say no” to Rob Page had Bellamy’s predecessor asked him to come out of international retirement.

Captain Aaron Ramsey – who has since picked up the latest in a line of injuries – Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, Ollie Cooper and Rennes’ James were the recognised central midfield players in Bellamy’s first Wales squad.

Joe Morrell was not involved having failed to find a club following his summer exit from Portsmouth, with the likes of Dylan Levitt and Matt Smith also omitted.

Though Allen has struggled with fitness issues since re-joining Swansea in 2022, he remains an influential figure at the Championship club.

“In my personal opinion, if Joe Allen is fit he should be in the squad,” added Jones.

“I’ve made that clear ever since he retired, reluctantly, under Rob Page a couple of years ago.

“But that decision was actually proven right because he’s struggled to remain fit and stay fit for Swansea in that period, so he actually wouldn’t have played much or been available for Wales for the last couple of years.

“But a fit Joe Allen, even at 34 years of age, it’s a no-brainer I believe to have him in that squad, and Craig Bellamy is intelligent enough to know the strengths he has even now at a later stage in his career and what he would bring to that squad.”