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Aaron Ramsey is a surprise inclusion in Wales’ 28-man squad to face Finland in the European Championship play-off semi-finals in Cardiff this month.

Wales host Finland on March 21 in a bid to reach their fourth major tournament out of the last five. The winners of the tie will play Poland or Estonia at home in the play-off final on March 26 for the right to play at Euro 2024.

Ramsey’s inclusion in Rob Page’s squad represents a massive U-turn as the midfielder sustained a calf injury last month shortly after a five-month lay-off with a damaged knee tendon.

Cardiff manager Erol Bulut told Sky Sports last month that the midfielder had ‘no chance’ – even the FAW said last week Ramsey would not be selected by Page as he couldn’t recover in time, so this selection is clearly a risk.

Last weekend, when on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports at Cardiff City Stadium for the Bluebirds’ clash with Ipswich, Ramsey revealed he was making good progress with a return to full training in sight.

“It’s coming along,” said Ramsey.

“Hopefully I’ll be back on the grass next week. I’m optimistic and hopefully I’ll be back on that pitch as soon as possible.”

Wales squad to face Finland

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Tom King, Adam Davies.

Defenders: Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Joe Low, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Jay DaSilva, Connor Roberts, Wes Burns.

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, Dylan Levitt, Jordan James, Charlie Savage, Harry Wilson, Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks.

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead, Rabbi Matondo, Daniel James, Liam Cullen, Rubin Colwill, Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore.

Who is in the Euro 2024 play-offs?

In Path B, Israel face a semi-final against Iceland while Bosnia and Herzegovina will host Ukraine.

Georgia take on fellow potential tournament debutants Luxembourg in Path C, while Kazakhstan travel to 2004 European champions Greece in the other semi-final of that route.

Page believes Wales have a “great opportunity” to reach Euro 2024 after being handed two possible home ties in the qualification play-offs.

Page was relieved to avoid a rematch with Ukraine, who his side beat in a play-off to qualify for last year’s World Cup, and insists Wales fear no-one in Cardiff.

“We tried to forecast the draw beforehand and we weren’t too far away,” said Page, whose team could also have been paired with Iceland at the last-four stage.

“What’s important to us is that home draw in the final – we’ve got to get the job done (against Finland) first and foremost, of course we have.

“We were probably wanting to avoid Ukraine as well so I think it’s gone to plan for us.

“I don’t think any team in that group (Ukraine, Finland and Iceland) would have been wanting to play us. I was more nervous for the draw for the home tie for the final.

“The form we’re in at the minute and with the ‘Red Wall’ at home, we’ll take anyone on in Cardiff.

“It’s a great opportunity for us: we’re two wins at home away from another qualification to a major tournament. We’re hoping now for two big efforts.”

Euro 2024 play-off draw in full

Play-off semi-finals

Path A

Poland vs Estonia

Wales vs Finland

Path B

Israel vs Iceland

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Ukraine

Path C

Georgia vs Luxembourg

Greece vs Kazakhstan

Play-offs finals

Path A: Wales/Finland vs Poland/Estonia

Path B: Bosnia-Herzegovina/Ukraine vs Israel/Iceland

Path C: Georgia/Luxembourg vs Greece/Kazakhstan

Wales had automatic qualification in their hands heading into the final two games, but ultimately fell short with closing 1-1 draws against Armenia and Turkey. Croatia and Turkey qualified as the top two in Group D.

It has been a campaign of transition without talismanic captain Gareth Bale following his retirement in January and the loss of other key players such as midfielder Joe Allen.

Wales began well with a bonus point away to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia – courtesy of Nathan Broadhead’s stoppage-time equaliser – and a narrow home win over Latvia.

But a sour summer – back-to-beat defeats against Armenia and Turkey – would cost them dear, despite bouncing back with a 2-0 success in Latvia and a sensational 2-1 home victory over Croatia.

Wales will have home advantage for the semi-final, which will be played at Cardiff City Stadium.

That is a huge boost for Wales who have had some special nights in Cardiff in recent times, and beat both Austria and Ukraine there in the 2022 World Cup play-offs.

Wales enter the play-offs with confidence after an unbeaten six-game run of three wins and three draws.

Analysis: Dream draw for Wales

Sky Sports News’ senior reporter Geraint Hughes:

“This couldn’t have worked out better for Wales in terms of the play-off draw. Being at home in the semi-finals they knew as a result of their successes over the years in the Nations League campaigns, and generally in UEFA competitions.

Wales will be happy with [drawing Finland]. They did pretty well against them in the last World Cup qualifying campaign.

“It then emerged they would face the winners of Poland or Estonia. And it will be a home game again if they were to beat Finland.

“If you’re going on the form book, you would imagine it’ll be Poland. Wales’ record in competitive matches at home has been phenomenal.

“They lost to Armenia, but you have to go a long way back to find the previous competitive home defeat at home and you can expect another well-out crowd, the Red Wall.

“Wales will have the proverbial 12th man out on the pitch.”