Coleman shields duo from criticism

Wales boss Chris Coleman has defended Jack Collison and James Collins after the West Ham pair withdrew from the squad to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Llanelli on Wednesday night.

Midfielder Collison (knee) and defender Collins (groin), a recent signing from Aston Villa, on Sunday both fell out of the reckoning for the Parc-y-Scarlets clash, with Joel Lynch and Robert Earnshaw called up as their replacements.

The pair have come in for criticism from former Wales international Mickey Thomas, but Coleman sprang to their defence when questioned on their absence. He said: "I have seen Mickey's comments, he is paid to give his opinion but I don't agree."

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