Sam Vokes returns to Wales fold for Israel encounter

Burnley striker Sam Vokes has been recalled by Wales boss Chris Coleman after injury for the Dragons’ Euro 2016 qualifier away to Israel.

The Clarets frontman, 25, has six goals in 30 caps, and contributed 20 strikes to Sean Dyche’s promotion campaign at Turf Moor last term. Vokes suffered a career-threatening knee injury last spring, but has since returned to action.

Fellow centre forward Simon Church is also included by Coleman, despite being out of favour at Championship club Charlton Athletic. Star man Gareth Bale is naturally named in attack, with in-form David Cotterill (Birmingham City), Tom Lawrence (Leicester City reserves) and Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading).

Coleman has also followed the trend of British Isles national managers naming Bournemouth players on their latest rosters, by including once-capped Shaun MacDonald in midfield. Premier League trio Joe Allen (Liverpool), Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace) and Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) are the established engine room operators for Wales, though.

MacDonald, 26, made his only international appearance in a Euro 2012 qualifying loss to Switzerland back in October 2010. David Edwards (Wolves) and David Vaughan (Nottingham Forest) complete the midfield options, meaning Emyr Huws (Wigan Athletic) and Jake Taylor (Reading) miss out.

Versatile Hull City defender James Chester is absent from the back here, however, so there is a senior call for Blackburn Rovers right back Adam Henley and out-of-favour Wolves veteran Sam Ricketts keeps his squad spot. Ashley “Jazz” Richards (on loan at Fulham from Swansea City) is back in after almost a year out of Dragons contention.

Joining Chester in missing out are Paul Dummett (Newcastle United), Danny Gabiddon (Cardiff City) and Adam Matthews (Celtic). Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace) leads the usual suspects in goal.

Wales are 11/8 with Coral to qualify for Euro 2016.