West Brom: Craig Bellamy sees what James Morrison doesn’t after Chris Mepham call
West Bromwich Albion defender Chris Mepham faces an uncertain future at club level, but he still clearly has the respect of Wales boss Craig Bellamy.
Mepham barely featured for West Brom towards the end of last season, even after returning from an injury layoff.
James Morrison confirmed prior to the final-day loss at Sheffield Wednesday that Mepham was not selected in recent squads due to other options being available.
But the 28-year-old’s lack of minutes at The Hawthorns has clearly not put off national team manager Bellamy.
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Chris Mepham gets chance to impress for Wales
Mepham was named as part of Wales’ training camp last month and retained his place in the squad for the friendlies with Ghana and Romania.
The former Brentford and Bournemouth defender did not start Tuesday’s friendly with Ghana in Cardiff, but he was given around 20 minutes from the bench.
This suggests that Mepham very much remains part of Bellamy’s plans for the UEFA Nations League campaign, which gets up and running in September.
Mepham did not look out of place against World Cup-bound Ghana, either, as he registered one clearance and one interception at the Cardiff City Stadium.
For context, that is the same number Joe Rodon managed in 83 minutes on the field in the same position.
Mepham is competing with Rodon and Dylan Lawler for a starting spot right now, and it is imperative he is playing regularly for his club between now and the next round of internationals if he is to remain part of the squad.
What about Ollie Bostock?
Young attacker Ollie Bostock was another member of the West Brom contingent who was part of Wales’ squad against Ghana.
Bellamy went with pretty much his strongest team, so it was no surprise that Bostock did not start or indeed get minutes off the bench.
However, with a second friendly away in Romania to come next weekend, it may well be that the 19-year-old is given a brief cameo in that match.
Even if not, though, being away with some top names will only benefit Bostock, and indeed West Brom, in the long run.
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