Johnson pulls out of Wales squad

West Brom’s Andy Johnson has withdrawn from the Wales squad to face Northern Ireland following a family bereavement.

The midfielder left the team’s Cardiff headquarters overnight and no replacement will be called up for the World Cup group six qualifier at the Millennium Stadium, already a 74,000 sell out.

Norwich goalkeeper Darren Ward has returned to the squad after being sent home last week with a back problem which stopped him travelling to Azerbaijan for Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

Boss Mark Hughes took the precautionary measure of stopping young Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Price returning home with the Wales Under-21s after their match in Baku, and on Monday he also called in Cardiff’s Martyn Margetson as further cover.

Mark Delaney, Craig Bellamy and Ben Thatcher have all recovered from minor injuries and are available, while Simon Davies has not returned to the squad and will play for Spurs reserves this week as he continues his recovery from shin splints.