Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh briefly left the field because of a heart arrhythmia during his team’s win, but returned to watch his defence dominate the Broncos and threaten a first home shutout in Denver – until the hosts made a game of it in the fourth quarter.

Having AJ Brown back gave the Philadelphia Eagles a big spark on offence but, even with his 116 receiving yards and a touchdown, they could have been in trouble had Deshaun Watson not underwhelmed again for the Cleveland Browns.

Tennessee’s Will Levis also underwhelmed with only 95 passing yards against the injury-hit Indianapolis Colts and the league’s most porous defence, leaving the Titans with a decision to make at quarterback.

Despite Justin Fields running in two more touchdowns as the Steelers beat the Raiders in front of plenty of Pittsburgh fans in Las Vegas, with his throwing still inconsistent there could also be another quarterback change with Russell Wilson waiting in the wings.

Joe Burrow produced a career-long 47-yard touchdown run and saw his defence finally show up as the Cincinnati Bengals salvaged their season with a 17-7 win at the New York Giants.

Kirk Cousins passed for more than 500 yards last week, but the run game powered the Atlanta Falcons this time around as they rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns to see off the Panthers.

Bellamy, who was appointed in July, has said he would have selected Allen for his first squad in September had he been fit – but the need for the midfielder has been emphasised by the absence of Ampadu, James and Ramsey.

This is a long-standing issue for Wales, who have lacked depth in central midfield for years, particularly since Euro 2016 squad members such as Joe Ledley, Andy King and Dave Edwards retired.

Ampadu and James are now the first-choice pairing but, with those two unavailable due to injury and suspension respectively, Bellamy’s only recognised central midfielders available to face Montenegro are Allen, his Swansea team-mate Ollie Cooper and Josh Sheehan, who plays for Bolton Wanderers in League One.

“We are light in the number six area, and that’s through all the age groups,” said Bellamy.

“If you gave me a look at squad planning when I first came into this, that’s why attacking I could double up. In one or two areas we don’t quite have [that depth].

“We are a nation that sometimes we have to be creative in what we do and sometimes that adds to your strengths. We’ve seen bigger nations than ours really struggle in that area [midfield].

“It’s a really important area for how we play. We just have to get on with it. I’m looking forward to seeing how one or two others get on in that position. They deserve it.”

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LONGSHOT

EDE’IFFS ROCK (4.30 Hereford)

She looked rusty when fourth at Fontwell on comeback ten days ago and is only 2lb higher than her last win so should finish closer here.

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Bellamy’s mantra when he first walked through the door as Wales head coach was all about forging an identity. A natural-born winner, results were always important – but the pressing priority was about Wales finding themselves as a team.

Meetings, analysis and Bellamy not swaying from what he wants his team to look like have all been geared to a new way of playing.

And, ultimately, players are still getting used to new demands and new instructions.

All during the limited time on camp with their new coach.

So perhaps expecting it to be nailed down for 90 minutes just three games in is just not realistic.

“It’s consistency in the game, that’s what you’re pushing for, to consistently be good with the ball and without the ball,” said Bellamy, who added it is not only about players getting used to the game plan, but also adapting within matches.

He cited players still coming to terms with what he is asking of them and maybe reverting to a default setting when up against it in difficult moments.

“But I see these things as quite normal,” he added.

“We’ve spent a number of meetings since then showing that discipline will allow you to have good habits. Good habits allow you to be consistent and if you’re consistent, then you can grow.

“We’re just in that period at the moment. It’s trying to create that consistency for us in how we see we would like this team to become.”

Ben Davies – captain in the injury absence of Aaron Ramsey – admitted the biggest difference under Bellamy is the style of play.

“We’re trying to dominate with the ball and we’re trying to show that we can be good without it,” said Davies.

“It’s about maintaining those levels. You’ve seen in the games we’ve played that we have tried to start on the front foot, dominate the ball and create as many chances as we can.

“There’s a period of adaptation that’s expected. I feel that it’s gone pretty well and that as a group there’s a lot more to come from us.”

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