Paul Bodin keeping tabs on Finley Stevens and Scott Banks

Paul Bodin stated his interest in calling up Finley Stevens and Scott Banks to the Wales Under-21 national team as Euros qualifying beckons.

Bodin spoke to the press after the draw for the qualifying stage of the 2023 Under-21 European Championships.

His side enter the new year losing 10 players who are now too old to be involved. And it seems that Stevens and Banks are two new players who can fill in some of these gaps.

Right back Finley Stevens played his academy football with Arsenal but has found three senior appearances with new club Brentford this season.

At just 17, Stevens is looking to get into the Wales system for the first time but does have dual nationality. He was born in Brighton but is eligible to play for Cymru, as his father is from Cardiff.

“Its not a total commitment. We’ve got the necessary documentations. We’ve spoken to him very briefly and its something we will continue to monitor.”

Paul Bodin doesn’t want to rush the young defender but is hoping that he’ll be included in the under-21 squad in the near future.

“I didn’t think he was quite ready in the last campaign and to be fair to the players who’ve seen the campaign through.”

“He’s had a nibble of the first team he’s had a few appearances, which is fantastic for him. We’ll continue to monitor his progress and when the time is right, hopefully we’ll call him up.”

Another name in question was Scott Banks.

There were talks of a call up for Banks late last year but it didn’t properly materialise, leaving his international future up in the air with his dual nationality.

Banks has already made appearances for Scotland’s under-19’s but is also eligible to play for Wales.

Bodin said that the scots have “offered him an olive branch”, but has confidence that the 19 year old will commit to Wales.

“I’ve had quite a bit of dialogue with him and his club. He is keen to come on board. He’s on our list for sure and we’ll just see where it develops from there.”

Banks spent his youth years with Dundee United before leaving for a “lump sum” to join South London outfit Crystal Palace in 2020.

He’s played most of his football with Palace’s under-23’s but has recently returned to Scotland, joining Championship side Dunfermline Athletic on loan.

This move will further help his progression and Bodin has a promising outlook on Banks’ abilities and what he can bring to his side.

“He’s a wide winger, he takes people on he excites people, scores goals, creates goals. When a player like Scott come along with dual nationality, you have to take advantage of that.”

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Everton’s Rhys Hughes is another player who was mentioned and Bodin had ideas in his head as to how he’d utilise the Wrexham born midfielder.

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“Rhys has been in the system a while so I know a lot about him. He’s a very good finisher and we think he’d probably be wasted in a deeper role. So we’ll play him higher up the pitch in a more attacking role.”

“In the next few months games will be monitored and we’ll be watching him. Hopefully he can break his way into the side.”

Wales were drawn in a group with Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Moldova and Gibraltar.

Yet despite a tough draw, Paul Bodin is looking forward to getting back to work after an on and off year with the effects of COVID-19.

“Its a tough, tough draw but you know we go in. It’s a new campaign for a lot of the boys and we’re all desperate to get back on grass.”

“We’re looking forward to hopefully to a training camp in March, all being well, and then we’re looking forward to a first fixture in June.”

(Featured Image: Nik Mesney/FAW)