Allen, 34, called time on his international career after the 2022 World Cup to focus on the rigours and demands faced to prolong his club career.
After an up-and-down second spell through injury with his hometown club, the 74 cap veteran has been a key figure for Luke Williams’ side in recent weeks. Now looking ahead to the summer, the former Liverpool man has made himself available to come out of retirement for Wales should manager Rob Page require his services.
With an invaluable wealth of experience from Wales’ golden generation that made three tournament finals, Allen’s comments will no doubt pose a few thoughts in the mind of Page with such a young inexperienced squad.
For now, Page will be fully focused on the challenges ahead. Wales play Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off semi-final at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday with a golden opportunity to edge nearer to the summer showpiece.
Should they win that tie against the team ranked 60 in the World – 31 places below the Welsh, a final match-up with either Poland or Estonia five days later on the same ground will decide whether or not it will be qualification to a third European Championships in a row.
“If he asked me, of course, I would never say no,” said Allen.
“I’ve been saying lately though I don’t think a phone call will come. There is so much strength in the team – the young players are doing a really good job.
“If those guys get us through to Germany, I think they deserve the chance to play there.
Page insisted back in August that Wales must look forward and drew parallels with John Toshack’s rebuilding process in his second spell in charge in 2004.
“There’s a plan moving forward and it’s about getting these young players involved because we’ve got to look at the future of Welsh football,” said Page at the time.
Wales, however, do not have an abundance of midfield options at their disposal. It is expected that Leeds United’s Ethan Ampadu will continue with Birmingham City starlet Jordan James at the heart of midfield despite Ampadu forming a formidable partnership with international teammate Joe Rodon at centre half for his club side.
Aside from international captain Aaron Ramsey who returned to action to play the last 18 minutes of the south Wales derby for Cardiff City on the weekend, within the squad for Finland, the back-up options in the middle of the park are vastly inexperienced.
League One players Josh Sheehan and Charlie Savage as well as Dylan Levitt of Hibernian have a handful of caps between them, posing the question if Allen is still fit and healthy come June, does Page go back on his laurels and name him on the plane to Germany.
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
