Senior Men’s Team goalkeeper Marvin Phillip believes that the last three weeks of preparations has brought benefits to the the provisional squad as members are now closer to a decent match fitness level ahead of the international friendly against Wales on March 20th.
Phillip was in goal in a practice game on Tuesday as the T&T team completed a 6-0 win over Police at the Ato Boldon Stadium
“Over the last few weeks we had a bunch of senior players with some youngsters in some high intensity training and everyone is up to game fitness now,” Phillip told TTFA Media.
“It’s going to be a massive encounter for us against Wales and it is going to be tough. We will give them that respect but we are not prepared to lie down. We will try our best to match them. I think coach will get the right mixture to ensure we have a good showing against Wales. I think mentally we need to be strong for the entire 90 minutes. We are getting the support from the Staff and the FA and everything is good thus far,” Phillip continued.
T&T head coach Dennis Lawrence will announce his final squad on the weekend the encounter at the Racecourse in Wrexham.
Meantime, Wales boss Ryan Giggs has named Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and uncapped Rotherham United midfielder Will Vaulks in a 31-man squad to face T&T and Slovakia.
The 25-year-old Vaulks qualifies for Wales through his Welsh mother, with Giggs previously attending a game that Vaulks starred in.
Speaking at a news conference, Giggs told reporters: “I have [had a chat with Bale]. I was as worried as anyone else, but he should be fine. He is a fantastic player, when Gareth turns up he gives everyone a lift.”
There could be a competitive debut for Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo, who won his first cap in November’s friendly defeat against Albania.
Aston Villa left-back Neil Taylor could feature for the first time under Giggs having missed the last two matches through injury.
Giggs confirmed 34-year-old defender Ashley Williams, on loan at Stoke City from Everton, will continue as skipper having succeeded Aaron Ramsey in 2012.
“As long as Ashley is in the squad he will be captain,” said Giggs. I have said that in the past. He is the captain going into the campaign. “
Wales Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Leicester), Adam Davies (Barnsley), Chris Maxwell (Charlton, on loan from Preston).
Defenders:
Ashley Williams (Stoke, on loan from Everton) (capt), Chris Gunter (Reading), Neil Taylor (Aston Villa), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Connor Roberts (Swansea), James Lawrence (Anderlecht), Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea), Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Paul Dummett (Newcastle), Declan John (Swansea).
Midfielders:
Ryan Hedges (Barnsley), Joe Allen (Stoke), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Ben Woodburn (Liverpool), Harry Wilson (Derby, on loan from Liverpool), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Matt Smith (FC Twente, on loan from Manchester City), Lee Evans (Wigan), Daniel James (Swansea), Will Vaulks.
Forwards:
Rabbi Matondo (Schalke), Sam Vokes (Stoke), Tom Lawrence (Derby), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Tyler Roberts (Leeds).