Ramsey: No problem with Shawcross

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey says he would have no problem playing with Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross, who broke his leg in 2010.

Wales boss Chris Coleman is trying to persuade former England Under-21 centre-back Shawcross – who spent time in Wales as a youngster – to switch allegiances, meaning the pair could soon be team-mates.

In February 2010, the Stoke man inflicted a double-fracture on Ramsey, which put him out of football for a year, and Coleman said he has talked with Ramsey about the possibility of selecting Shawcross.

And the 21-year-old Gunner insisted there would be no problem.

“There’s no situation,” Ramsey told reporters. “It’s up to the manager what he feels is the right thing to do for the team. It’s his decision.

“I just turn up and play. I’m over what happened in the past, I’ve moved on. I had a text off him straight after I done my leg but that was it.”

Coleman admits selecting Shawcross could be awkward for the team, but ultimately his goal is to try and get Wales to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and the Stoke defender would add quality to the side.

“The bottom line is we want to go to Brazil and how we will do that is to get the best players we can,” Coleman said. “He’s a Premier League centre-back.

“I think there is an issue but the conversation I had with Rambo (Ramsey) was very positive.

“They don’t have to be best friends; the best dressing room I ever played in, there was an edge and you don’t want everybody to be comfortable and all nice with each other.

“What matters is they play together for the team and respect each other as players.”