Euro 2016: Joe Ledley gives Wales timely boost by declaring himself fit for crucial Group B decider with Russia
Palace ace limped out of England defeat after knock on leg he fractured in May but insists he is not injured
JOE LEDLEY has handed Wales a major Euro 2016 boost by declaring himself fit for the crucial Group B clash with Russia.
Ledley limped out of the 2-1 defeat to England on Thursday after taking a blow in a challenge from winning goalscorer Daniel Sturridge.
The knock was on the same leg Ledley fractured just 40 days ago – sparking fears he had suffered fresh damage to the area.
But Crystal Palace midfielder Ledley insists he only came off as a precaution and said he will be available for selection in Toulouse on Monday.
He said: “It is okay, I felt my calf tightening up a bit during half-time and once I got a bang on it, it stiffened up a bit and we needed to take the precaution with it.
“I did not need to risk it as there is another game to go. I could have played on but the lads said not to risk it.
“I did not expect to play 90 minutes out there and it was just good to start the game.”
Ledley was on the receiving end of some strong challenges in Lens as England won the battle in midfield.
But he says he was not targeted by any of the Three Lions even though he was playing his first game since suffering the injury in the penultimate match of the Premier League season.
He added: “That is football, you go to hit people and it was an accident how Sturridge came in, I will come back stronger.”
Wales captain Ashley Williams responded to the despair of the injury-time defeat to England by calling the players round into a huddle for a post-match pep-talk.
Ledley said: “Ash told us there is still a game left and we are still in it.
“We are in a fantastic position and we need to regroup, we can still progress and it is in our hands. There is a big game in a few days and we must stay strong and stay together.”
Russia are still in with a chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages despite taking just a point from their opening two matches in France.
But a point for Wales could me enough to make it out of Group B, while victory will guarantee progress into the last-16 of the competition.
Ledley added: “They are a strong team, well organised. We need a point or three to get through and that is our aim, to go there and get the job done.”