WALES manager Chris Coleman has launched a staunch defence of his right to call up players for tomorrow night’s friendly match against the Netherlands, insisting every second counts in the build up to Euro 2016.

After last week’s public disagreement with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger over the fitness of Aaron Ramsey, Coleman reacted to comments from two other Premier League managers at yesterday’s pre-match press conference.

Newport-born Tony Pulis, now in charge at West Bromwich Albion, and under-pressure Swansea City manager Garry Monk, have both voiced their disapproval of this week’s international friendlies.

Pulis said friendly games were ‘a waste of space’ and Monk branded them ‘farcical’ and ‘pointless’ and added: "It's not really beneficial to any of the players and it disrupts the club teams. It's a gimmick really.”

But Coleman says facing the Dutch is vital for his team’s preparations for France next summer.

“I did see some comments from people who have never played international football and don’t know what it means,” said the Wales boss.

“And that’s not me having a sideswipe at anyone because I can understand why they would make those comments.

“When you represent your country, surely that still has to mean as much as anything in football.

“For me there’s nothing I could have done that would have meant more to me than playing for Wales.

“You’re representing your country and I don’t understand how some people can’t see that.

“Some people speak clumsily about what should happen and who should play at this time. It’s not their job to say that.

“International football is about representing your country and meeting the challenge in front of you and give everything you’ve got.

“Once we get on the pitch it’s not going to be a friendly. It’s going to be hell for leather and that’s football, that’s what it’s about.”

Coleman, who was previously in charge of Fulham in the Premier League, won 32 caps for Wales as a player. Pulis and Monk did not play international football.

“Certain managers are under pressure themselves,” added Coleman.

“I’ve been there and sometimes it distorts your thinking so I can understand it but I don’t have to agree with it.

“I’ve managed in the Premier League and I know what it’s like when the international break comes along and you’re losing players.

“It’s not just the games, it’s the travelling and it can be disruptive but international football has always been here and it is always going to be here.

“Having games that are not campaign games is important and they’ve already been cut down from what they used to be anyway.”

Tomorrow’s match at the Cardiff City Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm) is Wales’ first friendly since they faced the Dutch in Amsterdam in June 2014, losing 2-0.