Wales suffer Moore blow for Nations League games

Kieffer Moore heads the ball

Striker Kieffer Moore has been ruled out of Wales’ Nations League games against Turkey and Iceland this month.

Sheffield United forward Moore, 32, is one of three withdrawals from head coach Craig Bellamy’s squad.

Ipswich Town winger Wes Burns and defender Owen Beck, on loan at Blackburn Rovers from Liverpool, will also be absent.

They have been replaced by Coventry City defender Jay da Silva, Reading midfielder Charlie Savage and uncapped striker Luke Harris, who is on loan at League One leaders Birmingham City from Premier League side Fulham.

The loss of Moore is a big blow. The centre-forward has 13 goals in his 47-cap Wales career, making him the highest scorer in Bellamy’s squad.

Moore suffered a calf injury after coming on as a substitute for Sheffield United at Bristol City on 5 November and missed his side’s Championship win against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.

Meanwhile, after coming on as a substitute for Nantes at Lens on Saturday, winger Sorba Thomas was himself replaced in the 92nd minute.

Wales go to Group B leaders Turkey on Saturday, 16 November at Kadir Has Stadium, in Kayseri before hosting Iceland at Cardiff City Stadium the following Tuesday.

Unbeaten in four games under Bellamy, victory over the Group B4 leaders Turkey would put Wales on course to wrap up promotion to League A in their final fixture three days later.

They are already without captain Aaron Ramsey, Leeds United’s Ethan Ampadu and Swansea City’s Ollie Cooper because of injury.