NATIONAL manager Ryan Giggs has left the door open for Hal Robson-Kanu to make a late dash for his Euro 2020 squad after the West Bromwich Albion striker reversed his decision to retire from international football.
Robson-Kanu was one of the heroes of Wales’ remarkable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, scoring the winner against Slovakia and a sensational strike in the quarter-final victory over Belgium.
He made himself unavailable for selection in August 2018, citing family commitments and the mental and physical toll of spending time away with Wales as reasons for his decision.
But the 30-year-old reversed that decision in December and Giggs has not rule out including the in-form Baggies front man in his squad this summer.
“Everyone is still a possibility,” said the Wales boss.
“A lot has been made of me giving young players a chance but age doesn’t matter to me.
“If players are playing well and performing then it doesn’t matter.”
Robson-Kanu told BBC Wales in January: "Regardless of what happens in the summer, I'm looking forward to giving Ryan the opportunity to select me in the next campaign.
“It's certainly nothing to do with the qualification. Before I made the decision, qualification had not been achieved.
“From my perspective, the boys who have got the nation there have done fantastically well and 100 per cent deserve to be on the plane going to the Euros this summer.
“But you know what football's like. No-one will know what could happen in the back end of the season - there could be injuries and suspensions. Having an additional player available should hopefully benefit the nation.”
Wales are due to face Switzerland and Turkey in Euro 2020 games in Baku, Azerbaijan, in June before a final group game against Italy in Rome.
And Giggs says he is fully focused on two warm-up games later this month, despite the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Wales are scheduled to face Austria in Swansea on March 27 and United States in Cardiff on March 30.
“I'm just preparing as best I can,” said Giggs.
“It's changing every time. I'm keeping in close contact with our medical team, who are in contact with Public Health Wales.
“We just have to see where we are [closer to the time] but at the moment all my focus on the games going ahead and preparation for the Euros.”
Giggs was speaking following the draw for the 2020-2021 UEFA Nations League, which saw his side paired with the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Bulgaria.
Wales beat Ireland home and away in the 2018-2019 tournament, having also faced them in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and the manager was not surprised to be paired with them once again.
“The odds were that we were going to get Scotland, Northern Ireland or Republic and surprise, surprise we got the Republic again,” he said.
“We have played them a lot recently and they’re a team you have to respect.
“We had two very different games against them, the one at home fantastic quality and brilliant goals and then the away game didn’t play well but dug out a result with a bit of magic from Harry Wilson.”
Wales' Nations League fixtures
September 3: Finland v Wales
September 6: Wales v Bulgaria
October 10: Republic of Ireland v Wales
October 13: Bulgaria v Wales
November 13: Wales v Republic of Ireland
November 16: Wales v Finland
Read more: Gwent striker Christian Doidge targets Euro 2020 place with Wales
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