West Brom man named in summer friendlies squad despite late-season absence

Albion’s Chris Mepham has earned a summer call from Wales despite not featuring for his club towards the end of the season.

Mepham, 28, last turned out for the Baggies against Stoke on February 7, where he impressed but limped off late with a hamstring injury.

The muscle problem sidelined the Welshman for more than two months and he was not selected as part of James Morrison’s squad until the trip to Preston on April 18.

Mepham remained an unused substitute at Deepdale and Morrison left the former Bournemouth and Sunderland defender out of his squad for the remainder of the campaign.

Despite a Baggies absence, the centre-back has been included in Craig Bellamy’s summer Wales squad for a pair of upcoming friendlies.

Wales host Ghana at the Cardiff City Stadium next Tuesday, June 2, before a trip to Bucharest to face Romania on Saturday, June 6.

Bellamy’s side failed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup but the former striker has named a strong squad for the two fixtures despite calls to hand opportunities to youngsters.

London-born Mepham earned his 53rd cap for Wales last time out. He was recently honoured for reaching 50 caps for the nation of his paternal grandmother.

Albion academy graduates Ollie Bostock and Alex Williams were involved in a senior training camp but have not been included in the final 26-man squad.