Davies back to lead Wales for crucial qualifiers

World Cup qualifier: Liechtenstein v Wales

Venue: Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Coverage: Live on iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Ben Davies has been included in the Wales squad for their final World Cup qualifying group games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia, despite missing the past month with injury.

The 32-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender has not played since picking up a hamstring problem in October's defeat by Belgium on 13 October.

But he returns for the trip to Liechtenstein on Saturday 15 November, with Wales then hosting North Macedonia in Cardiff the following Tuesday.

Davies will continue to lead Wales, as regular captain Aaron Ramsey is once again absent.

Midfielder Ramsey, 34, has missed the entirety of the campaign with fitness issues and has not been selected amid reports he has quit Mexican side Pumas UNAM.

Davies has captained the side in Ramsey's absence and is joined in Craig Bellamy's 26-man squad by fit-again Leeds United winger Dan James.

An ankle problem saw the 27-year-old pull out of last month's squad for the friendly game with England at Wembley and the qualifying clash with Belgium.

His replacement, Cardiff City's Isaak Davies, drops out of the squad, although Cardiff City midfielder Rubin Colwill keeps his place.

Colwill, 23, was only called into October's squad as a replacement and his omission in recent months has caused some debate among supporters and pundits given his League One form.

Burnley defender Connor Roberts, Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward and Ipswich Town's Wes Burns all remain unavailable through injury, as Wales look to find some form at the end of their group campaign.

The 4-2 defeat to Belgium last time out effectively ended automatic qualifying hopes, with Wales now needing to win their remaining fixtures to guarantee runners-up spot in Group J.

Looking to secure home advantage in March's play-offs for next summer's finals, Wales travel to the pool's bottom side Liechtenstein on 15 November before hosting second-placed North Macedonia in Cardiff three days later in what promises to be a crunch encounter.

Ranked 206th in the world, Liechtenstein are yet to register a point – or a goal – from their six games so far. North Macedonia – having played a game more - are currently three points ahead of Wales with a six-goal advantage in goal difference.

Belgium are all but assured of automatic qualification, needing just three points to finish top with games against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein remaining.

Wales can finish as group runners up by winning both their remaining games.

Alternatively, beating Liechtenstein by six goals or more would mean a draw against North Macedonia in Cardiff would also be enough.

Wales are already guaranteed a play-off place via the Nations League, but must finish second to avoid being among the bottom seeds and the prospect of an away semi-final.

The draw for the play-offs is on Thursday 20 November, with the one-legged semi-finals and finals held in March.

Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Tom King (Everton).

Defenders: Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester City - on loan from Stade Rennais), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Dan James (Leeds United) Lewis Koumas (Birmingham City - on loan from Liverpool), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham).