Daniel Barden and Finn Stevens included in Wales Under-21 squad
Wales u21 Manager Paul Bodin leads training. Wales u21 training session at the Vale Resort on the 31st August 2020. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales U21 manager Paul Bodin has named his 23-man squad ahead of Friday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Colliers Park.
The squad sees eleven uncapped players receive their first call-up at the U21 level, the most notable among them being Rubin Colwill, Dan Barden, and Finn Stevens.
Luke Jephcott has been in fine form for his club Plymouth Arygle this season, scoring 16 times in 31 games for the league one side, but misses out on his first senior call up.
The match gives Bodin an opportunity to prepare his side ahead of the upcoming UEFA U21 EURO 2023 Qualifying round that starts in June.
The Young Dragons have been drawn in Group E along with the Netherlands, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Moldova and Gibraltar.
They’ll be without the likes of Cameron Cox, Regan Poole, Aaron Lewis, Mark Harris and Nathan Broadhead who are all now above the age of 21 and ineligible.
Niall Huggins and Sam Pearson, who both made their senior debuts in recent weeks will be hoping to add a bit of experience to a rather unexperienced squad at this level.
The most experienced player amongst the squad is Brandon Cooper who, along with enjoying a productive loan at Newport earlier this year, has nine U21 caps to his name.
Goalkeeper Daniel Barden has impressed at Norwich City this season, making his Championship debut under Daniel Farke against QPR on 29 December, replacing the injured Michael McGovern at half time.
17-year-old Brentford B defender Finn Stevens will be joining up with the Wales set up for the first time. Born in Brighton he qualifies for Wales through his grandfather.
History will be made with this fixture as it will be the first time Wales have ever faced the Republic of Ireland at U21 level.
The game will be available to watch on the FAW Facebook and Instagram pages or alternatively you can follow the match on out live blog. Kick off is at 13:00 Friday 26 March.
Cymru U21: Lewis WEBB (Swansea City), Daniel BARDEN (Norwich City), Nathan SHEPPERD (Brentford), Brandon COOPER (Swansea City), Billy SASS-DAVIES (Yeovil Town – On loan from Crewe Alexandra), Ryan ASTELY (Everton), Morgan BOYES (Liverpool), Edward JONES (Stoke City), Owen BECK (Liverpool), Fin STEVENS (Brentford), Niall HUGGINS (Leeds United), Terry Taylor (Burton Albion), Lewis COLLINS (Newport County), Sam BOWEN (Cardiff City), Siôn SPENCE (Crystal Palace), Sam PEARSON (Bristol City), Joe ADAMS (Grimsby Town – On loan from Brentford), Luke JEPHCOTT (Plymouth Argyle), Christian NORTON (Stoke City), Rubin COLWILL (Cardiff City), Rhys HUGHES (Everton), Jack VALE (Rochdale – On loan from Blackburn Rovers), Ryan STIRK (Birmingham City).
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell?FAW)
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