JOE LEDLEY WILL be praying his third child doesn’t arrive prematurely as he prepares for this week’s World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

The Wales midfielder is a regular in Chris Coleman’s team, having starting all four matches in the current campaign.

Ledley has linked up with the squad for Friday’s clash with Ireland, but his wife Ruby is due to give birth just three days after the game.

“He’s hoping he doesn’t get the call until the day after (the game),” Ledley’s room-mate and Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey told BBC Wales Sport.

“He’s not been nervous, he’s been really good, just keeping his phone on loud and for one of the members of staff to take his phone if he’s out on the training field.

“He’s been calm — it’s their third so he’s used to it now.”

Last summer, Wales’ Euro 2016 adventure very nearly clashed with 30-year-old Ledley’s wedding plans. After going out at the semi-final stage, however, the big day went ahead as scheduled.

He doesn’t plan ahead, that’s his problem,” added Hennessey.

“It’s their third, so I just hope it all goes well, fit and healthy and a few days after the game.

“He’s got two girls so he’d like a boy but I’m telling him all the time ‘It’s going to be a girl, Joe, it’s going to be a girl’.”

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