CHERRIES midfielder Shaun MacDonald has retained his place in the Wales squad for a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Belgium next month.

The top two teams in Group B will clash at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday, June 12.

MacDonald had ended a five-year absence from international football when he featured as a late substitute in a 3-0 away win over Israel in March.

The 26-year-old has been capped twice by his country.

MacDonald told the Cherries website: “I’ve been called up a few times in the last couple of years and had the odd niggle at the wrong time.

“Little injuries have meant I haven’t been able to go and that was frustrating for me. (Against Israel) I was able to go and I think the squad has gone from strength to strength.

“There’s a different feel about the group – everyone was confident and relaxed. There was a lot of pressure but it didn’t really show.

“When you look at our squad, we have players who are at Premier League clubs and someone like Gareth Bale.

“There are a few lads who have come through in the last few years and that’s positive for us. It’s an absolute honour for me to be involved in what’s going on at the moment.”

Cherries' new permanent signing Artur Boruc has been included in the Poland squad to face Georgia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday, June 13.