Wales Under-21 manager Paul Bodin has explained why the in-form Luke Jephcott was not included in the senior squad.
The Plymouth forward is amongst the most experienced in Paul Bodin’s relatively new 23-man squad, with 3 U21 caps already to his name.
He’s also been on fire in League One scoring 16 times in 31 matches, putting him amongst the division’s top scorers.
“He’s done exceptionally well; he’s got 16 league goals and 18 all in all. We’ve monitored him regularly,” Wales U21 manager Paul Bodin said.
“But the first team have a plethora of attacking players that are probably blocking him a little bit at this moment in time.
“But I’m sure that if Luke continues to score goals, if he can go up with Plymouth to the Championship or if he does get a move that will obviously enhance his chances.
“We’re delighted that we’ve got one of the leading scorers in League One, which we’ve never really had, to play in the U21’s.
The 21-year-old forward had been linked to a move to the Championship and a senior call up earlier in the year but has endured a slight goal drought in recent weeks.
Having scored 16 in his first 22 league games this season, Jephcott has now gone nine games without a goal as Plymouth’s form has dipped.
“Jeps will continue working hard to try and get over that 20-goal barrier, he’s been stuck for a couple of weeks now.
“I’m hoping he will score this weekend before he joins up with us or maybe he can get a couple on the Friday against Ireland to get his tally over the 20 mark.
Bodin also commented on whether Jephcott will be disappointed not to get his maiden senior call up.
“There’s been a lot of media coverage which is fine and is deserved but he’s such a level-headed lad.
“I speak to him regularly, after games, midweeks sometimes to ask him how it’s generally going and he’s obviously thoroughly enjoying himself.
“I think he’s only 16/17 months into first team football, so it’s been a really rapid rise. Not that long ago he was at Truro scoring goals in the Southern Football League Premier South.”
Jephcott will be hoping to make an impact for the Young Dragons on Friday as they host the Republic of Ireland at Colliers Park on Friday 26 March.
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