CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola said it was a close decision to allow Chris Mepham to go away with Wales for the international break.

The centre-half, alongside Cherries teammates Kieffer Moore and David Brooks, will link up with Rob Page’s Wales squad this week ahead of a friendly with Gibraltar and a crunch qualifier at home to Croatia.

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Mepham has not played for Cherries since coming off the bench in September’s draw away at Brentford, the defender missing the last five fixtures due to a small yet undisclosed injury.

However, Iraola disclosed that Mepham was back out on the grass training, albeit away from the main group.

Alongside fellow defender Lloyd Kelly, Mepham is expected to be available for selection after the international break, with Iraola expressing doubts as to whether the former Brentford man will be fit to play any part in Cymru’s next two games.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think it's a close one with Chris.

“He has been training on the pitch alone, not with the group.

“So I don't know if he is going to be ready to play with the national team.

“I think he wants to try.

"I think if he can play there and everything goes well, it's good also for everyone because he will come here fully recovered.

“So it was a close one.

“Close one.

“But I think if he can play with the national team it’s good for all.”

This term Mepham has made three appearances for Cherries, with just one start, coming in the EFL Cup win over Swansea City at the end of August.

In total, the 25-year-old has been capped 41 times by Wales, starting and playing the full 90 minutes of their last nine fixtures.

Mepham’s international debut came in a 6-0 victory over China, coming off the bench in a friendly competition, the China Cup.