The uncapped players fighting to reach Wales’ squad for the Euros
WREXHAM, WALES: Sunday 15th November 2020 | Regan Poole at Cymru U21 training at Colliers Park MD-2 vs Germany (Pic from FAW/Nik Mesney)
With now less than four months until Euro 2021 kicks off on the 11th of June, time is running out for uncapped internationals to make their claims for a spot on that prized plane that will be heading to the championships.
Ryan Giggs will have a good idea of who will be making the 23-man squad. However, with some places looking uncertain, competition for places will be as high as ever with players pushing for a place in the 23-man squad.
Leaving possible opportunities for uncapped players to earn their spot. Here are five uncapped hopefuls who will be looking to stake their claims over the next few months.
Luke Jephcott
One of the hottest goal scorers in the English football league right now, Luke Jephcott, is proving to be one to watch as he continues to impress for Plymouth Argyle. The striker has scored 18 goals in 27 appearances in what has proven to be a breakout season for the 21-year-old.
The problem which exists for Jephcott is whether he will be selected ahead of Tyler Roberts, Hal Robson-Kanu and Tom Lawrence all of whom have previous international experience.
There’s no doubt that should he continue his goalscoring form until the end of the season, he may leave Ryan Giggs with no option but to give the youngster his chance in the Euros. Should he not have already had his opportunity to play in a Wales shirt in the matches set to take place in March.
Tom King
Tom King was selected for the latest Wales squad back in November with both Adam Davies and Wayne Hennessey injured. However he didn’t receive the international cap he would have been hoping for as Danny Ward was favoured for the trio of games they had scheduled.
King may been seen as the least likely individual in this list to be selected due to the fierce competition he has. Although, there is still a level of uncertainty as to whether Hennessey will be fully fit in time for the Euros. Davies has recently returned to training and looks set to make his footballing return within the next two weeks. While Danny Ward has been a regular in the Wales squad over the years.
King seems to be fourth choice as a goalkeeper for Wales at the moment. That leaves his hopes up to Hennessey’s injury status or one potential injury which may see the Newport shot stopper take his place on the plane to the championships.
Regan Poole
Regan Poole is not far off his first international cap for Wales having made strides this season for MK Dons in League One before making a permanent move to Lincoln City in January. The 22-year-old has yet to start for the Imps, however he will be pushing for that to change as Poole will be eager to impress Wales boss Ryan Giggs ahead of the three fixtures set to take place in March.
Poole is a former Manchester United player having signed for the Red Devils back in 2015 from Welsh side Newport County. Before the Cardiff-born defender joined MK Dons in hope of first team football in 2019.
He has previous international experience having 23 caps to his name at youth level for Wales and one senior international call-up for his country back in 2019.
Embed from Getty ImagesChristian Doidge
Wales fans have been pleading to see Christian Doidge play for his country for a while and are still awaiting for their wish to be granted. They may have to wait a while longer as the 28-year-old is having somewhat of a quiet season by his standards with only five goals to his name in 26 league appearances.
With the March fixtures his upcoming chance to impress Ryan Giggs, he will be looking to break his current drought of goals having gone ten games without one for Hibernian.
The competition for places in the attacking department for Wales doesn’t help his case at all either, with players like Luke Jephcott looking unstoppable in front of goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesJoe Jacobson
Joe Jacobson has never held back his ambitions of playing for his country having represented them at youth level earning 13 caps under Wales legend Brian Flynn.
With the upcoming Wales games the best chance for the 34-year-old to make that dream a reality should he receive the privilege of being selected and play for the squad.
The Wycombe left-back was called up for Wales under John Toshack, but unfortunately for him he never received the opportunity to play.
Cardiff-born Jacobson will be hoping his form this season for Championship side Wycombe will have been enough to earn him his place in the 23-man squad for the Euros with Giggs selecting his experience to help mentor an expected youthful side.
