Bellamy says four-match international window strains injury-hit Wales

Craig Bellamy said the four-match international window had stretched Wales' depleted squad after Sunday's 1-0 Nations League defeat by Denmark in Cardiff. According to BBC Sport, the Wales coach argued that the format favoured countries able to rotate players without reducing the strength of their team.

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Bellamy pointed to the consequences of injuries lasting an entire camp. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Harry Wilson were unavailable throughout, while David Brooks withdrew after the opening defeat by Portugal. He said Wales could manage absences over two fixtures, but four placed greater demands on the remaining players.

Dan James stayed on the bench against Denmark because he was not fit enough to play, Bellamy said. The coach also acknowledged that Ben Davies probably should have been rested. He contrasted Sunday's lack of energy with Wales' more assertive performance against Norway on Thursday, BBC Sport reported.

The Football Association of Wales' match report confirmed that Brennan Johnson replaced James in the only change to the side that beat Norway 2-1. Denmark, meanwhile, were without the injured Mikkel Damsgaard and lost captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg to injury after only 10 minutes, but continued to create opportunities.

Danny Ward stopped close-range efforts from Rasmus Højlund and Gustav Isaksen before conceding the decisive penalty. The Welsh FA reported that Ward brought down Isaksen in the area and Højlund converted in the 75th minute. Wales had earlier threatened through Johnson, whose effort from Sorba Thomas' delivery went narrowly over the bar.

UEFA's fixture list shows the compressed sequence facing Wales: away games against Portugal on September 24 and Denmark on September 27, followed by home matches against Norway on October 1 and Denmark on October 4. The first three results were defeats of 1-0 and 2-0, then the 2-1 victory over Norway.

Wales' remaining group fixtures are scheduled for November 14 away to Norway and November 17 at home to Portugal, according to UEFA. Those two matches complete their six-game league-phase programme, following the four fixtures played during the combined September and October camp.