Latest news with #DylanLawlor
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Williams out of Belgium tie as Wales call up Lawlor
Neco Williams was taken off during the first half at Cardiff City Stadium [Getty Images] World Cup qualifier: Belgium v Wales Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels Date: Monday, 9 June Kick off: 19:45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One, S4C, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Advertisement Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams will miss Wales' World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Monday. Williams, 24, was substituted 21 minutes into Wales' 3-0 win over Liechtenstein. The former Liverpool full-back went down in agony after attempting a cross in a one-sided opening at Cardiff City Stadium, leaving the pitch on a stretcher following treatment. "Give us a few hours. You just don't know. We'll find out tomorrow morning," said Wales head coach Craig Bellamy after the match. "The medical staff will be racing with it and make sure he's looked after, of course. We'll find out a lot more tomorrow." Advertisement On Sunday morning, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) confirmed Williams was not part of the travelling party for Wales' qualifier with Belgium. Williams wrote on X: "So frustrating to pick up this injury at the end of the season but now it's rest, recover and get back ready for pre season." The FAW also announced Cardiff City centre-back Dylan Lawlor has been called up for the fixture at the King Baudouin Stadium. Lawlor, 19, made his senior debut for Cardiff in a 2-0 FA Cup loss to Aston Villa in February and was handed his league bow in the Bluebirds' 4-2 defeat by Norwich City on the final day of the 2024-25 Championship season on 3 May. Advertisement He was part of the 29-man senior training camp under Bellamy in Cardiff and Alicante last month. Williams was making his 47th appearance for Wales and has started every game since Bellamy took charge. He was also a key player for Forest last season, playing 35 times as the club qualified for Europe for the first time in 30 years. Wales are yet to lose under Bellamy as they prepare to to Brussels to take on Group J's top seeds Belgium.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Cardiff City face battle to keep hold of rising talent as top clubs show interest
Cardiff City face battle to keep hold of rising talent as top clubs show interest The Bluebirds player is wanted by a number of clubs and is also drawing eyes on the international scene Dylan Lawlor of Cardiff City (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Cardiff City are braced for a battle to keep hold of prized academy asset Dylan Lawlor this summer. The Bluebirds defender has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign this year, starring for the club's under-21s and earning huge praise for his performance against a vaunted Aston Villa frontline including Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins and Marco Asensio in the FA Cup. There's also a strong argument to say he was the best player in a blue shirt when he came on against Norwich City on the final day of the season. And his form and performances have not gone unnoticed. Cardiff sources say a European club have shown real interest in the 19-year-old, while a major Premier League outfit and a top Scottish club have also enquired about the player. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community The teenager, who has captained Wales at age-grade level, is understood to be a sought-after talent owing to not only his defensive ability, but the class and composure he shows in possession which is an asset all top clubs now want from their centre-backs. Cardiff believe Lawlor is one of the best defensive talents they've had in their academy for decades, drawing comparisons with the likes of Danny Gabbidon from those in the know. Indeed, even some first-team players expect him to play a big part next season if Cardiff manage to keep hold of him. Article continues below Were it not for such a disastrous season for Cardiff's first team, the player would likely have had far more senior appearances to his name than the two he already has. Lawlor does have a contract until 2026, however that potentially leaves Cardiff in something of a vulnerable position. If the teenager doesn't sign a new deal, they risk losing him for only compensation money next year. Lawlor is not only sought after on the club scene, but internationally, too. The ball-playing centre-back has a big admirer in the form of Craig Bellamy, who has selected him as one of five Cardiff youngsters for the warm-weather training camp out in Spain over this past week. However, Wales also appear to have a job to keep Lawlor on their hands, with the Republic of Ireland also having sought assurances over his heritage. Indeed, it is understood Lawlor does qualify for the Emerald Isle through Irish heritage. While Bellamy will doubtless have all his focus on the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign, there is clearly shift towards the head coach wanting to bring through new talent as is evidenced by the sheer number of youngsters called up to this training camp. Whether any of them get a cap in the coming games will be an intriguing sub-plot to keep an eye on. It's been a long and arduous campaign for many of Wales' senior stars and whether they will all be involved in the Liechtenstein game on June 6, with the Belgium encounter just three days later, or whether Bellamy will potentially use that first match at Cardiff City Stadium to cap a few youngsters off the bench remains to be seen. Article continues below Indeed, just this week it was reported that Manchester United striker, and fellow Bluebirds academy graduate, Gabriele Biancheri has been invited to the Canadian national team's next camp, with the teenager also eligible for Italy. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here. Cardiff will be keeping a close eye on proceedings out in Spain, with Cian Ashford, Luey Giles, Ronan Kpakio and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa joining Lawlor with the senior players on camp. While all are capped at youth level, a strong showing in Spain might just see them force their way into contention for the upcoming fixtures in a fortnight's time.
