Wales vs Slovakia team news: Wayne Hennessey ruled out with back spasm, Danny Ward steps into breach

Team news from Bordeaux as Wales prepare for their first major tournament in 50 years

Wayne Hennessey misses the Wales opener in France (Getty)

Danny Ward, the 22-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper, will start for Wales against Slovakia after Wayne Hennessey was forced to pull out of their European Championship opener.

The 29-year-old will not make his 58th cap for Chris Coleman’s side in Bordeaux after a back spasm ruled him out of the Group B clash on Saturday evening.

Ward was handed his Liverpool debut by manager Jurgen Klopp in April but has made just two appearances for Wales, giving his international boss a headache ahead of kick-off at the Matmut Atlantique stadium.

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey both start while Joe Allen is preferred in midfield over Leicester City’s League One, Championship and Premier League title winner Andy King.

Swansea City defender Ashley Williams provides strength at the back alongside James Chester, the West Bromwich Albion centre-back.

The main threat for Wales is likely to come from Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik who starts in the heart of the midfield for Jan Kozak’s side this evening. Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel also starts for the Slovakians.

Teams

Wales: Ward; Gunter, Chester, A Williams, Davies, Taylor; Edwards, Allen, Ramsey, J Williams; Bale.

Slovakia: Kozacik, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Weiss, Hrosovsky, Hamsik, Svento, Kucka, Mak, Duri.