Norwich City winger Marley Watkins has pulled out of the Wales squad for their crucial World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
Watkins will miss Wales’ last two World Cup Group D qualifiers in Georgia and at home to Republic of Ireland.
Wales are already dealing with the loss of their talismanic forward Gareth Bale – also through injury.
Watkins tweeted his withdrawal from the squad was due to a contact injury, however he doesn’t expect it to get in the way of his club availability.
The 26-year-old Norwich forward was sent off for a late tackle in the final stages of the Canaries’ 2-1 EFL Championship win at Reading on Saturday, after coming on as a substitute for the injured Josh Murphy at the Madejski Stadium.
And the FA have now confirmed Watkins will serve a three-match ban for his misdemeanour, missing City’s Championship return to action at home to Hull on October 14, as well as the East Anglian derby at Ipswich and Carabao Cup fourth round tie at Premier League giants Arsenal.
As for Wales, they sit second in the qualifying group and trail leaders Serbia by four points. However, finishing second should earn Chris Coleman’s side one of eight play-offs play-off places as they bid for a spot at Russia 2018.
Watkins will be hoping Wales can earn a minimum four points from their remaining two games to book their play-off spot.
• For the latest Norwich City news and opinion follow Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey, Facebook @mbjourno and Instagram @mrmichaeljbailey
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