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Joe Allen has admitted the ‘Welsh Xavi’ tag bestowed upon him by former boss Brendan Rodgers didn’t do him “many favours”, as the Liverpool midfielder gets set to win his injury battle ahead of Euro 2016.

Allen was likened to the former Barcelona captain by Rodgers after the Northern Irishman brought him to Anfield from Swansea in 2012.

The 26-year-old has also been handed the nickname ‘the Welsh Pirlo’ this season, with his performances under Jurgen Klopp grabbing plenty of attention.

But Allen insists he is trying to avoid any new monikers as he prepares for his nation’s first major international tournament in 58 years.

When asked about his nicknames, he said: “There’s been a few floating around, there’s an obvious one I’m not saying.

“(The Welsh Pirlo is) a dangerous one.

“I had the Welsh Xavi tag for a while and that didn’t really do me too many favours, so I’m trying to steer myself away from the new one too.”

Allen has seemingly recovered from a knee injury in time to feature in Wales’ opening Euro 2016 fixture with Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday.

Boss Chris Coleman believes Allen won’t complete 90 minutes but is confident he can ‘play a part’ against the Slovakians, who are captained by club team-mate Martin Skrtel.

Allen’s Anfield future remains uncertain with just a year remaining on his contract at Liverpool, with no offer of a new one on the table so far.

Despite that, he has become a cult hero with supporters, particularly on the Internet, where he has been the subject of a number of memes.

The former Swans man admits to finding humour in his new-found fame.

“I’ve seen the good, bad and ugly,” he joked. “Probably more bad and ugly than good.

“There’s been a few things sent my way that’s had me crying with laughter. The recent biblical references (Allen has been likened to Jesus because of his long hair) have been quite funny.

“I have got a sense of humour and that’s the way you have to take it – I’m hoping to have a big influence on everyone.

“I’ve seen a few more beards than normal. It’s the long hair next, even though I can’t say I have many of the lads copying me.”