Why Christian Doidge must make Wales squad for Bulgaria and Finland double-header

As the countdown to the Nations League begins in earnest, so do the questions surrounding Ryan Giggs’ Wales squad.

In an ideal world, this would have been the first squad the Welsh boss would have chose after EURO 2020.

However, this selection is Giggs’ first of the year, after the coronavirus pandemic decimated the footballing calendar.

Giggs was due to name a squad to take on Austria and the United States in a friendly doubleheader, but that was quickly scrapped.

One player though who was pushing hard for a place was Hibernian striker Christian Doidge.

Speaking exclusively to Y Clwb Pêl-Droed’s Dafydd Jones in March, manager Ryan Giggs revealed he was paying close attention to Doidge’s performances.

“He’s someone who we’re looking at closely over the next few weeks, obviously with the games coming up,” said the 46-year-old.

“When you have a goalscorer, it doesn’t matter what level, they know where the back of the net is.”

In the 19/20 season, Doidge scored 18 goals in 38 appearances, as well as six assists, despite a slow start to life at Easter Road.

Despite a stellar season for the Edinburgh side, the postponement of the European Championships could come as a blessing for Doidge in terms of his international prospects.

His only opportunity to impress Giggs would have been his league form and some friendlies, should he have been called up in March.

Instead, he can showcase his ability to the Wales manager in a competitive setting through the UEFA Nations League. 

He’s already aiming to replicate that form which had Welsh bosses casting an eye on him, having been on target twice in four appearances for the Hibees.

He’s also got the benefit of having a month of competitive football under his belt. 

Whilst Doidge had to sit back and see his competitors play on in the Championship and the Premier League, the 27-year-old was working hard to get his fitness up to scratch.

Now he’ll the upper hand in match fitness in a competitive setting over other players in the squad.

With the squad due to be announced in ten days time and Doidge looking like the striker he was last season, a deserved call-up looks to be on the cards.