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Ian Evatt is delighted to see that Josh Sheehan has been drafted into the full Wales squad – even if it left him in the lurch!
The Wanderers boss had been planning to play Sheehan against Port Vale in the Papa John’s Trophy but learned late on Sunday night that he would have to make other plans.
With Kieran Lee injured, both Andy Tutte and George Thomason are likely to be brought into the side for the opening group game.
Evatt admits the timing of Sheehan’s call was not ideal.
“It is brilliant and he deserves it – for me, he should have been in the initial squad,” he said.
“But it is a frustration how it happens. From the manager’s perspective we are told he wasn’t called up and he is on standby so we plan for him to play on Tuesday.
“Then Josh got a call at 10pm on Sunday night, so he texts me to say he is in the squad. As a turnaround, it doesn’t give us long. It is a frustration of mine but it is what it is.
“He has gone now.”
Sheehan has already been capped twice by Wales as a Newport County player but left the Exiles to try and force his way into the international reckoning as a League One midfielder.
Wales experienced problems securing working visas for a handful of players ahead of their game in Belarus next Sunday, so Sheehan could be bumped up in Kazan after a friendly against Finland on Wednesday.
Evatt will also need to cope without Sheehan for the televised game against Burton Albion next Monday.
“It is good for Josh he got the call up,” Evatt said. “I feel like he has done really well, settled in and deserves to be in the squad.
“It is just how it happens when players pull out. I suppose clubs are the last thing on an international country’s minds. We’ll adapt and overcome.”
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