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Ben Davies will captain Wales in Aaron Ramsey’s absence with manager Robert Page acknowledging the Tottenham defender was considered as permanent skipper. <\/span><\/p>\n Cardiff City’s Ramsey will miss Wales’ games against Gibraltar and Croatia with a knee injury.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Davies will now captain the side, having also been considered as Gareth Bale’s successor as captain.<\/span><\/p>\n “It was close, I’m not going to lie,” Page said.<\/span><\/p>\n “Of course he was going to be considered. He’s not only a great footballer, he’s a top bloke and the ultimate professional.<\/span><\/p>\n “I had that decision to make and Aaron’s still got a lot of football to play and I understand the importance of Aaron in that squad and what he can offer not just on the pitch but off it as well.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ramsey, 32, replaced the retired Gareth Bale as Wales captain in March 2023 at the start of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign – his second spell as national team skipper having done so under the late Gary Speed.<\/span><\/p>\n Davies has amassed 80 caps for his country since making his debut against Scotland in October 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n The 30-year-old has skippered Wales previously, most notably against England at Wembley in 2020, and in the friendly against South Korea in September.<\/span><\/p>\n Page, himself a former Wales skipper, sees the Spurs player becoming a full-time captain one day.<\/span><\/p>\n “Ben’s captain material and he will absolutely be a future captain whenever that is,” Page said.<\/span><\/p>\n “For now he’s a big part in what I want to do and what I mean by that is the last couple of years he’s been really important for me.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’ve always leant on him, I’ve always used him in what we call a committee where we’ve got five players that we get together.<\/span><\/p>\n “Being vice-captain behind Aaron means he will lead the boys out.”<\/span><\/p>\n Page’s men face Gibraltar in a friendly in Wrexham on Wednesday 11 October, four days before hosting Croatia in a European Championship qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium.<\/span><\/p>\n Wales are fourth in Group D, trailing joint leaders Turkey and Croatia by three points, as they aim to reach next summer’s tournament in Germany and a third successive Euros.<\/span><\/p>\n Wales need a positive result against unbeaten Croatia if they are to keep automatic qualification hopes alive.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n