By Paul Jones
Joe Allen admits he has unfinished business at the World Cup, although he admits that’s a long way down the road.
The Swansea City star has made a “whirlwind” return to international football, but insists Wales have unfinished business in the tournament after flopping in Qatar.
Allen quit the international scene in February 2023, just two months after injury had limited his role at the World Cup when Wales scored only once and finished bottom of their group.
But the 34-year-old Swans midfielder was persuaded to return by new boss Craig Bellamy and joined the squad for this month’s Nations League double-header.
https://twitter.com/SwansOfficial/status/1846216151816183839
Allen sat out the 2-2 draw in Iceland before playing a key role in Monday’s 1-0 home victory over Montenegro, coming on for the final half-hour to help Wales close out the win that keeps them two points behind group leaders Turkey.
“It’s great to be back,” said Allen after winning his 75th cap and in the wake of Bellamy labelling him one of Wales’ greatest ever players.
“An incredible welcome here from the supporters, but also from my team-mates and all the staff on camp.
“I really enjoyed the week and to round it off with a win was a great feeling.
“I thought it (returning) was unlikely, but I don’t think it’s anything you can 100 per cent rule out.
“When I spoke to Craig I was pretty easily convinced to come back and be part of the set-up.
“I’m really grateful to him for giving me the opportunity. It’s up to me now to prove I still have value and worth to add and help this group.”
Joe Allen's return for Wales came 686 days after his last appearance for his county – against England at the 2022 World Cup! ⚽#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/C70aUoW1Ew
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 15, 2024
Fitness issues have restricted Allen to just a handful of substitute appearances for Swansea this season.
He has not started a game since April 1 and admits to facing an uncertain future had Swansea not offered him a new one-year contract last summer.
Wales visit Turkey and host Iceland when the Nations League group stages concludes in November.
But thoughts are already turning to 2026 World Cup qualifying next year, with Bellamy’s unbeaten four-game start exciting the Wales fan base.
When asked if the World Cup was on his mind, Allen said: “I think we are looking a little bit too far ahead just now.
“This has all been a bit of a whirlwind and how quick this has come around to be back in the fold.
“First and foremost I wanted to get on this camp, get on the pitch at least once over the two games and thankfully I got that chance.
“There’s a big onus on me to really push over the next month. Get as many minutes as I can and be in good shape hopefully for the two games next month.”
https://twitter.com/JordanWebber96/status/1845919676368671045
Allen recovered from a hamstring injury to play some part at the 2022 World Cup but was nowhere near his best in Qatar
He said: “I made it, which was something, but I really wasn’t in the best shape getting there. There was a flat feeling for everyone at how we performed out there.
“On a personal note, of course it was not what I dreamed of.
“Less so for me, but for the group as a whole, it seems like it is unfinished business on the back of that.
“That’s where you can see the hunger in this group and that’s why it is there. Every camp and every game we have between now and the World Cup campaign is all in preparation to get there and throw everything at doing that.”
Joe Allen separates all divides. Watching him come back on the pitch in the Wales kit was class. Can’t think of a single Cardiff fan I’ve ever met that dislikes him. A true Welsh legend
— Baker (@goalpostsbaker) October 14, 2024