Russell Martin | As a club we are really proud of World Cup contingent

Head coach Russell Martin has spoken of Swansea City’s pride after seeing three players named in squads for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Joe Allen and Ben Cabango have been named in the Wales squad for the global showpiece, with the Dragons drawn alongside England, the United States and Iran in Group B.

Olivier Ntcham, meanwhile, has been included Rigobert Song’s Cameroon squad for the tournament. The Indomitable Lions are in Group G with Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia.

“The first thing to say is how proud we are as a club to have our players representing their countries on the biggest stage,” said the Swans boss.

“We are delighted that Joe is in the Wales squad.

“We have had moments where we had wondered if that would be the case, so we are so pleased for him that he has been included.

“We are really hopeful that he will have a real impact on the games for Wales because he has been such a brilliant player for them over so many years and he absolutely deserves the opportunity to show what he can do on the biggest stage in the game.

“For Ben, it is a wonderful achievement. We are so proud of him and how far he has come, and he fully deserves to be in that squad.

“The way he has developed during our time here has been simply outstanding, his ability to take on information and to learn from it and apply it is excellent, and we are sure he will be a great asset to the Wales squad in the tournament and he is only going to go from strength to strength.

“We know Olivier has enjoyed being part of the Cameroon squad recently and he has really shown his quality and began to impact games consistently for us.

“He is our top scorer, we know what he is capable of and we hope he goes and has an excellent tournament.”

But Martin also reserved words of praise for midfielder Ollie Cooper, who missed out on the final selection for the Wales squad despite his excellent form for the Swans so far this term.

“We are obviously disappointed for Ollie because he has given it everything he has got,” added the head coach,

“He has been incredible for us, and I am sure every Swansea City fan is fully aware - as we are - of what he would have given to the squad had he been selected.

“I am sure he is disappointed, but if he keeps doing what he has been doing for us and uses this as fuel for what lies ahead then his chance in a Wales shirt will come.”