Johnson back for Wales for crucial Euro qualifying double header 

Having the 22-year-old back in the fold after missing the 2-1 victory over Croatia last month will be a massive boost for Page’s side with Wales realistically still needing two wins from their two remaining fixtures to qualify automatically for the finals in Germany next summer. 

The first hurdle will be a long trip to Yerevan on Saturday 18 November to face an Armenia side which caused a shock by coming out 4-2 victors at the Cardiff City Stadium in the reverse group fixture in June. 

Four days later the Dragons will be back on home soil to conclude their campaign against a strong Turkey side who have already one foot in the finals lying six points clear at the top of Group D having played a game more. 

Johnson’s club teammate Ben Davies will continue to captain in the side in the absence of Aaron Ramsey, whilst there is a first call up for Sunderland defender Niall Huggins. 

Swansea City representation comes in the form of defender Ben Cabango and forward Liam Cullen who both retain their places, however there is no room for midfielder Ollie Cooper. 

Having surprised group favourites and World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in Cardiff by pulling off a remarkable win last month, qualification is back in Wales’ hands once more. 

Harry Wilson’s second-half double for Page’s inexperienced under-strength side breathed new life into what is turning out to be a rollercoaster of a campaign for the Welsh.  

With confidence high within the camp Page now believes his side can get the two results needed to progress to the finals.  

“We want to win both games to qualify. It’s in our hands. We want two wins. We might not need two wins, but that’s what we are after,” said Page. 

“I firmly believe, and the players do, that if we play the way we can, we can get the results. 

“We have to build on one of the best results in my tenure against Croatia. We could have scored more goals, that was the pleasing thing. 

“If we can sustain that level of performance, we will compete with the top teams time and time again. We want to continue the momentum we had in the last camp. 

“Off the back of the last game seven of the 11 weren’t playing for their club, but that’s changed dramatically. From a conditioning point of view that’s good, we don’t need time to get them up to speed. 

“We had a few injuries in the last camp and understandably they have been called back in. 

“There is competition for places, we’ve always said we want that, it’s a good problem to have. Brennan [Johnson] adds quality and is a different type of player than Kiefer [Moore]” 

“He is proving at club level he can play a multitude of positions which gives us good options.” 

Wales squad to face Armenia and Turkey:  

Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Tom King (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 

Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town), Chris Mepham (AFC Bournemouth), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Niall Huggins (Sunderland) 

Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan James (Birmingham City), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Harry Wilson (Fulham), David Brooks (AFC Bournemouth) 

Dan James (Leeds United); Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur) Kieffer Moore (AFC Bournemouth), Tom Bradshaw (Millwall)

[Lead image: Press Association]