Wales defender Tom Lockyer in race to be fit for Euro 2020 finals after ankle operation

TOM LOCKYER faces a major race against time to be fit for Wales at Euro 2020 after an ankle operation.

The Luton centre-back, 26, has been ruled out for the rest of the Championship season following the long-standing ankle ligament problem.

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Tom Lockyer may not be fit for Wales at this summer’s Euros after undergoing an ankle operation[/caption]

Lockyer was named in Wales’ squad to face Belgium, Mexico and the Czech Republic last month. But the injury forced the 13-cap defender to pull out during the international break.

Although he was on the bench for Luton at Preston on March 20, he has been battling with the injury since mid-February and has now gone under the knife to solve the issue.

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Lockyer helped Wales reach Euro 2020 by starting the last four qualification games including the crucial 2-0 triumph over Hungary[/caption]

Hatters boss Nathan Jones said: “Tom will miss the rest of the season. Tom’s had to have an operation.

“It’s a real strange one, but he’s had to go in which is a bit frustrating for me, because he’s going to be out for two months, which only affects a month of the season but he’s had two months out prior to that.”

Caretaker boss Robert Page, who is still standing in for the absent Giggs following his arrest on suspicion of assaulting his on-off girlfriend, was in charge then.

And Page opted for the partnership of Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham against Ireland three days later.

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Lockyer will be sweating on his place to make the Wales squad after injury[/caption]

Then when Wales switched to a back three for the final of three matches in November against Finland, Page drafted in left-footed James Lawrence to provide balance.

Lockyer hoped to stake his claim for the Euros in March but his latest withdrawal due to injury and the resulting operation leaves him in a major race to be selected for the summer.