Chester handed Wales hope

West Brom defender James Chester has boosted his chances of earning a starting role for Wales at Euro 2016, according to national team boss Chris Coleman.

Chester joined the Baggies from relegated Hull City over the summer for £8million but he struggled to force his way into the team in the first half of the season.

The defender was handed just three Premier League appearances in his first five months with Albion but he has been a regular since the beginning of February.

The 27-year-old played a key role in helping Wales, who are priced at
1.67 to make the knockout stages at Euro 2016, qualify for a first major tournament in 58 years and Coleman admitted he has always been in his plans.

However, Coleman revealed that Chester wasn’t guaranteed to start earlier in the campaign when he was left out in the cold at the Hawthorns.

Wales are likely to play five at the back in the summer with Chester hoping to join Ashley Williams and one of Ben Davies, James Collins or Paul Dummett was the three centre halves.

Coleman is happy to have competition for places in the squad and hopes that brings the best out of his players.

Coleman said: “Thankfully James has had a run of games now which is a relief because if you are not playing, no matter how much training you do, you will be a bit short.

“So it is good for him. He has been playing for West Brom and that is important.

“He would have been in the squad even if he had not been playing.

“But if he was worried about being in our starting XI that would be warranted because, even though he has been magnificent for us, he would have been missing some sharpness.

“Starting in a tournament is different to making the squad. We have real competition given guys like James Collins have been having great seasons for their clubs.

“But James is always going to be in the squad if he is fit, and playing for his club in this period has been important for him.”