Bellamy's tribute as Davies set for 100th Wales cap

The defender's 100th cap will come when he leads Wales against Belgium in Monday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Monday.

Neath-born Ben Davies made his Wales debut in a 2-1 win over Scotland in 2012, soon after his Premier League bow for Swansea
[Huw Evans Agency]

World Cup qualifier: Wales v Belgium

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Monday, 13 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales, BBC3 and iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Ben Davies is set to become Wales men's latest centurion with manager Craig Bellamy predicting a big future off the field for the "beyond impressive" Tottenham Hotspur defender.

The former Swansea City player's 100th cap will come when he leads Wales against Belgium in Monday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Cardiff on Monday.

Davies, 32, will join former team-mates Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter and Wayne Hennessey in reaching that mark with Bale's 111-men's Wales cap record in Davies' sights.

Bellamy said: "I watched the game back against Canada (in September) and he (Davies) was so good. He was just amazing – every part of his game. As good as I've ever seen him play for Wales, that was my feeling.

"We can all agree that he's been a top player. But we are all very impressed with him as an individual, as a person.

"You can see when he does interviews. He's very impressive. He will be a top manager if he wants to be. Or he could become a director of football, or a CEO (chief executive officer).

"He's that level and beyond impressive as a person. His level of consistency – and his consistency of being available – is a credit to him."

Davies' defensive presence has been a major feature of one of Wales' best eras in an international career that included playing in every game as they reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals under Chris Coleman.

That was Wales' first appearance at a major tournament in 58 years with Davies producing a magnificent goal-line clearance in their opener to deny Slovakia an early goal.

Davies went on to play at the Covid-delayed 2020 Euros and 2022 World Cup.

"I have loved him. As a coach, he is such a big help. I lean on him a lot," said Bellamy.

"He's the voice for a lot of players. He is the main part of the leadership group and when he talks, you listen.

"He's not playing every week for his club and that could be a very difficult period for some individuals.

"But he's still able to train and play to such a high standard. You just know what he is."

Wales must beat Belgium to retain hopes of finishing top of Group J, a spot that would mean automatic qualification for next summer's finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

A successful 2024 Nations League campaign means Wales are almost certainly guaranteed a play-off spot in March.

Category: General Sports