Page ends Wales career

Robert Page has shocked Wales manager John Toshack by announcing his retirement from international football just three days after being selected for next month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The 32-year-old Coventry defender had been recalled by Toshack for the matches in Cardiff against Slovakia and Cyprus on October 7 and 11 due to an injury crisis, with defenders Mark Delaney and Sam Ricketts ruled out of the double-header.

Page last played for his country against Cyprus in a friendly in Limassol last November, and has since been sidelined for long spells through injury.

He made his Wales debut 10 years ago against Turkey and has won 41 caps after being one of the defensive mainstays under former Wales boss Mark Hughes.

He has since played under Toshack and was his first captain for the game against Hungary in February 2005.

However, the call-up clearly came out of the blue for Page, who has only recently regained fitness and forced his way back into the Coventry side.

Toshack said: “Robert has phoned to inform us of his decision and we have reluctantly had to accept his wish to retire from international football.

“We do, of course, thank him for his efforts over the years and wish him every success in the future.”

It would have been clear to Page, however, that he would probably only have been on the bench with James Collins, Lewin Nyatanga and Danny Gabbidon ahead of him.

It means that Toshack is now struggling for defensive cover, with MK Dons defender Craig Morgan – arguably the next in line – only just back in training after injury.

Toshack will monitor his recovery before making any additions to his squad, with Doncaster’s Steve Roberts another possibility.