THEY have become the Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb of Welsh football — the half dozen names that close on everyone can reel off as if they were recalling the firemen from Trumpton.

Ramsey, Allen, Andy King, Ledley, Collison and Bale.

Okay, Captain Flack had it easier in Trumpton, that blast from children's TV past, when he did his roll-call of fire-fighters in each episode.

All the same, the number of times the names of those six footballers have been written together over the past week or two, as a means of justifying why Gary Speed shouldn't recall Robbie Savage, must be beyond counting.

The trouble is it is rare for Wales to have Aaron Ramsey and his five midfield mates at their disposal all at once.

Injuries have troubled the Arsenal man and Collison for the best part of a year, while Joe Allen has also had time on the sidelines.

There is nothing unusual about that — bumps are a part of every sportsman's life.

The issue for Wales is they simply don't have the depth to cover them.

So it seems to me to be absurd to talk of closing the door on any player.

Savage is petulant, not the most skilful, and will never be this column's favourite figure. At 36 he has also seen better days.

But if others are crying off for whatever reasons, I see no harm at all in having him in the squad.

He has experience and might be able to gee up those around him — and, heaven knows, some Welsh footballers have needed geeing up over the years.

He needn't have a front-line role, a point he acknowledged himself in a column for a London newspaper when, in typically combative style, he laid into a section of the Welsh press.

Savage wrote: "Can't believe the idiots in the pro-Toshack Welsh media who say I shouldn't be brought back by Gary Speed because I'll be 38 in 2014.

"Hey, I'm not expecting to captain the team, take the penalties and displace brilliant young players like Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Collison.

"But I think I can add experience and spirit to the squad — even if I get nowhere near the pitch."

That is a fair enough appeal to me.

If there are injuries, use him. If not, use his experience.

As I say, Wales simply don't have the resources to be choosy.

While we're about it, the question has been raised over whether Simon Davies should be called up if he reverses his decision to quit international football.

Well, he's a quality player playing regularly in the Premier League.

If Wales can afford to do without someone like that, I'm missing something.