Eardley keeps Wales place

NEAL EARDLEY has kept his place in the Wales squad for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier away to Azerbaijan.

The 20-year-old Athletic player, who has won nine full caps for his country, was an unused substitute for Friday’s friendly win against Estonia.

The squad was then due to be reduced in size to 20 players, with Eardley’s goal to survive the cut. But a spate of injuries, which has ruled out Ched Evans, Sam Ricketts, Gareth Bale and Jack Collison, meant that Eardley’s place was never under threat.

Dean Windass, meanwhile, is set to be appointed assistant manager to Colin Todd at League Two club Darlington.

The news came hours after Hull City announced they were releasing Michael Bridges and the 40-year-old Windass, who played 11 games on loan at Boundary Park last season. Windass, who had an unhappy loan spell with Athletic, intends to continue playing.

Chris Taylor will have fully recovered from damaged ankle ligaments in time for the start of pre-season training on June 29.

The 22-year-old winger was excused from this week’s extra training, though Athletic say that is nothing to worry about.

Taylor, who missed the final three games of the season, has been working with physios Marc Czuczman and Jon Guy.

Goalkeeper Josh Bell, released by Athletic at the end of the season, is back at Boundary Park. Athletic are allowing Bell, who was a first-year professional, to work out with them pre-season.