Tom Lawrence has opened up about his emotional return to the Wales national team, describing his surprise recall as a “long time coming” after four years in the international wilderness.
The Rangers midfielder, who earned the last of his 23 Wales caps in 2021, has been named in Craig Bellamy’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Lawrence’s inclusion, confirmed earlier this week, comes on the back of his recent contributions for his club, including a crucial penalty in Thursday night’s Europa League last-16 shoot-out win over Fenerbahce.
Speaking candidly about the call-up, Lawrence revealed the personal significance of the moment, particularly after a challenging period marked by injuries and setbacks.
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“The manager rang me, and it was a great feeling,” the 31-year-old explained.
“To be fair, I've kept in contact with him since he took over there. I could have gone a few times, but injuries and little niggles have stopped me.
“Now it was the right time for me to be back in the fold and I'm looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to being back with Wales and see what that brings. It’s the first time I have been involved since moving here.
“It feels like a long time coming. I came up here to try and put myself back in that frame. I mean, injuries haven't helped that situation. I was out for a long time in my first year. It's just good to be back.”
