Robbie Savage’s son and former Man United starlet Charlie receives his first Wales call-up as Wrexham star Paul Mullen is put on standby for upcoming clashes with Gibraltar and Croatia

• Charlie Savage was handed a first senior call up having played at youth level 
• Paul Mullin scored his first two goals of the campaign against Crewe Alexandra
• The friendly with Gibraltar will be played at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground
• Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’

Former Manchester United starlet Charlie Savage has been handed a first call up to Rob Page’s squad, with Wales in action against Gibraltar and Croatia later this month. 

Savage has been in good form at the start of the 2023-24 campaign for Reading, with a goal and an assist in his 10 League One starts, although the Royals are languishing in 22nd place.

The United academy product – and son of Robbie Savage – has played eight times across three age group sides for Wales but is yet to represent the national team. 

On standby for Page’s side will be Wrexham’s star striker Paul Mullin, who the manager was full of praise for at his squad announcement on Wednesday – with the clash against Gibraltar taking place at the Racecourse Ground. 

He said: ‘Paul is on standby for the squad. I watched Paul Mullin against Sheffield United last year, and Jack Lester – my coach, who was at Sheffield United at the time – sang his praises.

Ex-Man United starlet Charlie Savage is included in the Welsh senior squad for the first time

Rob Page is under pressure and his side will take on Gibraltar and Croatia later in October

Paul Mullin has been put on standby by Page for the upcoming clashes after scoring his first two goals of the season

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‘We’ve had a few conversations about Paul, so the next step is he’s now on standby and he’s one step away.

‘We monitor the Welsh players, and Paul is certainly one we’ve taken note of – and he deserves that. This is the next step of his development.’

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey and Brennan Johnson will miss next week’s vital Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia, with the Dragons likely needing to avoid defeat and win their other two games to reach the tournament proper in Germany.

Both players have been omitted from Page’s squad for their friendly against Gibraltar on October 11 and Group D qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium on October 15.

Ramsey damaged his right knee in training last month and there are fears the 32-year-old midfielder may need surgery after missing Cardiff’s last five games.

Tottenham’s Johnson sustained a hamstring injury in his side’s recent 2-2 draw at Arsenal and sat out Saturday’s win against Liverpool, and their absence is a huge blow to Wales, who side sit fourth after winning only two of their first five matches.

Johnson had been expected to be included after Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said before the Liverpool game that his injury was ‘nothing too serious’.

Wales are also without QPR defender Morgan Fox and Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo (both knee), while Liverpool defender Owen Beck joins Savage in receiving a first senior team call-up.

Captain Aaron Ramsey is out with a knee injury with fears that he may require surgery

Brennan Johnson picked up a minor hamstring issue for Tottenham in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal

Leeds winger Daniel James returns to the squad after missing last month’s Euro 2024 qualifying victory in Latvia.

Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore is available for the Croatia game after missing the last two Euro qualifiers due to the red card he received against Armenia in June.

Page eased some of the pressure on him last month with Wales’ 2-0 victory in Latvia.

But his side still face an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification for next summer’s finals in Germany through a top-two finish.

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