Ben Davies: Spurs defender 'was close' to Wales captain's role

Ben Davies will captain Wales in Aaron Ramsey's absence with manager Robert Page acknowledging the Tottenham defender was considered as permanent skipper.

Cardiff City's Ramsey will miss Wales' games against Gibraltar and Croatia with a knee injury.

Davies will now captain the side, having also been considered as Gareth Bale's successor as captain.

"It was close, I'm not going to lie," Page said.

"Of course he was going to be considered. He's not only a great footballer, he's a top bloke and the ultimate professional.

"I had that decision to make and Aaron's still got a lot of football to play and I understand the importance of Aaron in that squad and what he can offer not just on the pitch but off it as well."

Ramsey, 32, replaced the retired Gareth Bale as Wales captain in March 2023 at the start of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign - his second spell as national team skipper having done so under the late Gary Speed.

Davies has amassed 80 caps for his country since making his debut against Scotland in October 2012.

The 30-year-old has skippered Wales previously, most notably against England at Wembley in 2020, and in the friendly against South Korea in September.

Page, himself a former Wales skipper, sees the Spurs player becoming a full-time captain one day.

"Ben's captain material and he will absolutely be a future captain whenever that is," Page said.

"For now he's a big part in what I want to do and what I mean by that is the last couple of years he's been really important for me.

"I've always leant on him, I've always used him in what we call a committee where we've got five players that we get together.

"Being vice-captain behind Aaron means he will lead the boys out."

Page's men face Gibraltar in a friendly in Wrexham on Wednesday 11 October, four days before hosting Croatia in a European Championship qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales are fourth in Group D, trailing joint leaders Turkey and Croatia by three points, as they aim to reach next summer's tournament in Germany and a third successive Euros.

Wales need a positive result against unbeaten Croatia if they are to keep automatic qualification hopes alive.