NEWPORT County AFC goalkeeper Tom King could be on call for Wales this summer after UEFA confirmed that countries will be able to name 26-man squad’s for Euro 2020.
Squads for the tournament will be able to include three more players than usual in case of positive tests for Covid-19 and subsequent spells of quarantine.
However, matchday squads will only be allowed to contain 23 players.
UEFA also confirmed that coronavirus was classed as a “serious illness”, meaning a player can be replaced if he tests positive before a team’s first match.
Goalkeepers would be able to be called up in case of injury or illness before each match – possibly opening the door for King.
The County stopper has received three international call-ups without winning his first cap.
The 26-year-old, who has kept four clean sheets on the spin since regaining his Exiles starting spot, is keeping the pressure on the trio of Wayne Hennessey, Adam Davies and Danny Ward.
His Rodney Parade teammate Josh Sheehan is also hoping to force his way into Robert Page’s squad.
Wales' Josh Sheehan (left) and Mexico's Hector Herrera battle for the ball during the international friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Saturday March 27, 2021.
The midfielder won his first cap against the USA last year and came off the bench in the friendly win against Mexico in March.
The playmaker is an outsider for the Euros but could profit from the expanded squad.
UEFA said in a statement: “To mitigate the risks of teams facing a shortage of available players for certain matches due to possible positive Covid-19 tests results and subsequent quarantine measures ordered by competent authorities, it has been decided to exceptionally increase the player list for all participating teams to 26 players.
“However, 23 players shall remain the maximum number permitted on the match sheet for each individual match (in accordance with Law 3 of the IFAB Laws of the Game permitting a maximum of 12 substitutes to be named for A-national team matches), including three goalkeepers.
“Once the player list has been submitted on 1 June 2021, the current regulations allow unlimited replacements on the player list in case of serious injury or illness before the first match, provided that the replacements are medically certified.
“For the sake of clarity, players who have tested positive for Covid-19 or who have been declared as ‘close contacts’ of a positive Covid-19 tested person – and therefore put in isolation – by way of an authorities’ decision are considered cases of serious illness and can therefore be replaced before the first match with the approval of the UEFA administration.”
Wales are playing a pair of friendlies ahead of the Euros.
They take on France in Nice on Friday, June 2 before hosting Albania in Cardiff on Saturday, June 5.
Robert Page's side kick off their campaign against Switzerland in Baku the following Saturday, take on Turkey in the same city before heading to Rome to face Italy.
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