Joe Allen set to start for Wales against Slovakia on Saturday – despite currently being injured

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Wales boss Chris Coleman has told SkySports that Joe Allen will be in his side for Wales’ Group B opener in Bordeaux on Saturday evening – even though he is currently suffering from a knee injury.

Wales – who take on Slovakia in the Stade Matmut-Atlantique at 5pm BST – are taking part in their first major international tournament since the 1950s.

They are currently having injury issues with three key players – Allen, Joe Ledley, and Hal Robson-Kanu – but Coleman is adamant that only one of them will play.

“I’m not giving anything away to say we can’t start with all three. It would be reckless really,” he said.

“Joe Ledley did the injury at the end of the season and we were all thinking the same thing – a broken leg is a broken leg. But he has done so well to get back to where he is.”

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“Between now and the end of the season Joe Allen has had more football… so you would have to say Joe is further down the line in terms of being ready to start a game,” the boss added.

“And he is integral to how we want to play because he plays in that pivot role for us.”

How far can Wales go this summer? Let us know your thoughts about Allen’s prospects in the comments below…

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