x

Burns: Will I Be in the Wales Squad? I've Literally No Idea - Ipswich Town News

Wes Burns says he has no idea whether he’ll be named in the Wales World Cup squad when the announcement is made on Wednesday.

Burns, 27, broke into his national team in the summer when he won his first three full caps. The wideman was subsequently called up to the party for the September internationals but didn’t play a minute of those games, although he felt the experience was worthwhile.

Welsh boss Rob Page will name his 26-man party for Qatar on Wednesday live on BBC One Wales at 7pm.

Wales are in Group B along with England, Iran and the USA, who they play in their first match on Monday 21st November.

"I’d love to go, honestly I would, I’d love to go,” Burns said. "If I get the call, brilliant. If I don’t, I know I’ve got a big season here at Ipswich.

"I think we’ve said it many times, the aim at the end of the season is for Ipswich to be in the Championship, be playing Championship football next year, so it’s a win for me either way. If I go, brilliant, if I don’t, then I know I’ve got a job to do here.”

Has he any clue at this point whether he will be getting the nod? "No, literally I’ve got no idea whatsoever. I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

"Usually it’s just an email or an email to the club and then I get notified that way. But I think they’re keeping everything very under wraps at the moment, so fingers crossed.”

Burns says Wales qualifying for the World Cup for only the second time, they were previously in Sweden in 1958, is huge regardless of whether he’s on the plane to Qatar.

"It’s a special one,” he reflected. "Seems like it’s been a long time coming. The whole build-up to it, the feel around the whole of Welsh football is coming back now.

"I think the group of players are progressing us, we’re getting to major tournaments again. We’re doing well in tournaments, looking back at the Euros and things like that. Welsh football is coming back on the map and what a chance to go and do it at the World Cup.”

If he is included, Burns will be the second Town player to have been named in a Wales World Cup squad, John Elsworthy having been selected in the 22 in 1958.

But sadly for the man known as Big John, he was one of four players left at home with their seats on the plane to Sweden instead given to wives of Welsh FA committee members and he ultimately never won a cap.

FIFA's Club Benefits Programme pays out $10,000 (£8,706) for each day players are away at the finals regardless of the amount of time they are on the pitch.

The sum is paid to all the clubs a player has been with in the preceding two years, so Burns's former side Fleetwood would be due a percentage of the sum.

Following the 2018 tournament, Town received £417,506.39 from FIFA for Bartosz Bialkowski and Jonas Knudsen's inclusion in the Poland and Denmark squads.

What to read next:

Slicker Impresses Barnet Boss on League Debut
Blues keeper Cieran Slicker made his league debut for loan club Barnet but couldn’t prevent the Bees from falling to a 2-0 defeat to Bromley at Hayes Lane in League Two, however, the Scotland international impressed manager Dean Brennan.
Birmingham Issue Statement on Taylor Assault
Birmingham City have issued a statement regarding the incident in which Jack Taylor appeared to assaulted by a supporter as Town celebrated George Hirst’s 95th-minute penalty in last night’s 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.
U18s Beat Canaries in Friendly
Town’s U18s beat their Norwich City counterparts 2-0 in their final friendly of pre-season at Playford Road this morning.
No Bids For Davis, Town Won't Sell This Window
TWTD understands Town have received no bids for left-back Leif Davis this summer and will not be selling him during this transfer window.
Birmingham City 1-1 Ipswich Town - Highlights
Highlights of last night’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
Davies: Two Harsh Decisions
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies felt the Blues profited from two harsh decisions by referee Andrew Kitchen during last night’s 1-1 draw in the Championship’s season opener at St Andrew’s.
Forest 'Lining Up Davis Bid'
Nottingham Forest are reported to be readying a bid for Town left-back Leif Davis.
Hirst: Handball is a Handball
George Hirst felt referee Andrew Kitchen made the correct decision in awarding Town a stoppage time penalty in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
McKenna: We Found a Way to Battle For a Point
Town boss Kieran McKenna felt his side found a way to battle for what he believes could prove to be an important point his side drew 1-1 at Birmingham City and revealed that the club has reported the incident in which Jack Taylor was assaulted by a fan following George Hirst’s late, late penalty to the authorities.
McKenna on Philogene, Cajuste and Hutchinson
Town boss Kieran McKenna has explained why Jaden Philogene, Jens Cajuste and Omari Hutchinson missed tonight’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham.