Ethan Ampadu says Joe Allen would be welcomed back into the Wales fold should the midfielder come out of international retirement ahead of Euro 2024.
Wales are one win from reaching a third successive European Championship, and host Poland in a play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday with a place in Germany this summer at stake.
Allen called time on his distinguished Wales career in February 2023 after winning 74 caps and playing at three major tournaments.
But the Swansea veteran said last week he would “never say no” to Rob Page if the Wales manager asked him to come out of international retirement for the Euros.
“I think if someone was to say no they’d be lying,” Ampadu said when asked if the Wales squad would welcome Allen’s return.
“That’s not really down to me, that’s down to the gaffer (Rob Page) and Joe.
“I know, I’m sure as you (media) all would, everyone would welcome him back.”
Leeds captain Ampadu has emerged as Allen’s natural heir in the Wales midfield and won his 50th cap in the play-off semi-final victory over Finland on Thursday.
Allen was working as a pundit on the game for Welsh television but said last week he would make himself available for a potential Euro 2024 return, though he does not expect a call from Page.
“Of course if he asked me I would never say no,” Allen told BBC Sport Wales.
“But I’ve been saying lately 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 – and if those guys get us through to Germany, I think they deserve the chance to play in Germany.”
Allen turned 34 earlier this month and said when he retired from Wales duty “time and injuries take their toll” and that he was ready to “make way for our next generation”.
The former Liverpool midfielder has suffered an injury-hit season, starting only five games for Swansea in the Sky Bet Championship.
Page said last August he did not plan to ask Allen to reconsider his retirement decision because it was time to focus on the younger generation.
“There’s a plan ahead and the next thing for us is to get the young ones involved,” said Page.
“They’re young lads, they’re going to be the future of Welsh football.”
Birmingham’s Jordan James, who does not turn 20 until July, has become a midfield regular alongside Ampadu since Allen’s retirement and will win his 10th cap against Poland.
Man United could be without Toone until new year, says Skinner
Marc Skinner revealed that Manchester United could be without midfielder Ella Toone until the new year after she picked up a calf injury in training.
Toone has featured in five games in the Women's Super League this season, but is yet to register a goal or an assist so far this term.
The 25-year-old has missed United's last two games and was not selected in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for their upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.
She had previously appeared in a staggering 96 straight matches before missing United's WSL showdown with Leicester City last weekend.
But ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, Skinner confirmed they would be without Toone for not only that game, but for the foreseeable future.
"We have three games [after the international break and before Christmas]. There's always the hope, but I think you balance and you go, 'right, if we can get her back, we get her back'," Skinner said.
"But we're just not going to rush her in this moment because it's a calf injury, it's your running mechanism. If we injure the running mechanism, it takes longer.
"So ideally we'd like her back for those games afterwards.
"The projection is she misses this game [Chelsea], she misses the international window, probably misses the first game after that, and then we'll see from there.
"But because it is such a short block of only three games, we'll assess whether it's worth that or actually resetting to come back after Christmas."
Al-Nassr 1-2 Al-Qadsiah: Aubameyang winner ends hosts' unbeaten run
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the winner as Al-Qadsiah inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday to end their 21-match unbeaten run.
Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh league goal of the season put Al-Nassr ahead, but Al-Qadsiah replied swiftly through Julian Quinones before Aubameyang struck the decisive blow.
The hosts drew first blood in the 32nd minute when Ronaldo slotted home after Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels had spilled a routine catch from Talisca's cross.
However, Al-Nassr's joy was short-lived when Quinones brought down Turki Al Ammar's delivery five minutes later, with the Mexcio winger firing past Bento to level the scores.
Quinones also played a part in the winning goal after brilliantly turning the ball back across goal from Nahitan Nandez's search pass to tee up a simple finish for Aubameyang.
The result sees Al-Qadsiah move level on 22 points with third-placed Al-Nassr, with Al-Shabab also level with them.
Stefano Pioli's Al-Nassr are six points adrift of defending champions and leaders Al-Hilal, who also have a game in hand.
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