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World Cup qualifiers: Sheffield United winger David Brooks earns Wales call-up

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments106

David Brooks
United's David Brooks was praised for his performance in the Sheffield derby against Wednesday
2018 World Cup qualifiers: Georgia v Wales
Venue: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tblisi Date: Friday, 6 October Kick-off: 17:00 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app, plus live text commentary.

Uncapped Sheffield United winger David Brooks has been called into the Wales squad for the first time for World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Republic of Ireland in October.

Brooks, 20, opted to play for England's Under-20s in the summer before recommitting to Wales.

Preston North End goalkeeper Chris Maxwell also earns his first call-up.

Back-up defenders Jazz Richards and James Collins are injured, otherwise Wales have a clean bill of health.

Joe Ledley has made a goalscoring return to first-team football after joining Derby, and that could persuade manager Chris Coleman to start the midfielder against Georgia on 6 October.

Uncapped Ethan Ampadu, 17, is again part of the 23-man squad after the defender's debut for Chelsea.

His inclusion alongside Liverpool forward Ben Woodburn, 17, and Brooks - who has started Sheffield United's last three Championship games - gives Coleman's squad a youthful look.

"David Brooks has earned it, he has been great for [Wales U21 manager] Robert Page. He was excellent for Sheffield United in the derby," Coleman said.

"He's shown great promise for some years, luckily for us he has chosen Wales. I am sure that has caused some ripples over the Severn Bridge.

"But it is a feather in the cap for our system, our structure, that David is here. He has earned his chance.

"I have met him, we had a coffee last month, we had a good chat. It's not like he's meeting me for the first time.

"I would not be afraid to put him on, but I don't feel obliged to cap him unless it suits us."

World Cup Qualifying Group D

Coleman is also glad to see his star players on song, with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey - who is set to win his 50th cap - rediscovering their best form for Real Madrid and Arsenal at just the right time.

"Gareth and Rambo are in great form and that's great news for us. It's important both players are playing so well," Coleman added.

It is understood Ramsey has not travelled to Belarus with Arsenal, who will rest a number of top stars against Bate Borisov in the Europa League this evening.

Wales are second in Group D following wins over Austria and Moldova in September, but trail leaders Serbia by four points with two matches remaining.

Second place could be enough to earn Coleman's team a place in the play-offs, which will see eight of the nine runners up in qualifying groups play for four remaining places in Russia 2018.

After playing Georgia in Tblisi on 6 October, Wales face a potential showdown for second place with the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Monday, 9 October.

Wales squad:

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Chris Maxwell; Defenders: Ben Davies, James Chester, Neil Taylor, Chris Gunter, Tom Lockyer, Ashley Williams, Ethan Ampadu; Midfielders: Joe Allen, David Edwards, Andy King, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Jonathan Williams, David Brooks; Forwards: Gareth Bale, Marley Watkins, Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence, Ben Woodburn.

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106 comments

  • Comment posted by Ollsbols, at 13:13 28 Sep 2017

    And we failed to attract him to the England side. Says everything about the sport in England. He is a real talent and Wales are lucky to have him.

  • Comment posted by nigelg, at 12:50 28 Sep 2017

    Would be nice to see Ched Evans back in the fold.he deserves a break.would love to know if all his critics have apologised for jumping on the bandwagon and kicking him when he was wrongly accused.id love to know if saint Jess has done so

  • Comment posted by bradmylesswans, at 12:17 28 Sep 2017

    Cant underestimate Georgia, they have taken points from Ireland and Austria, hopefully we go out there with the right attitude, get the job done and set up a winner takes all encounter against the irish! Cymru am byth!!

  • Comment posted by Duffy1, at 12:27 28 Sep 2017

    This lad is the real deal, played brilliantly for Sheffield united this season, just got better & better, player of the tournament for the recent Toulon cup with England, Coleman just ensuring he's tied to Wales when he brings him on for the last 5 minutes in either game. if you haven't seen what he did in the steel city derby against experienced professionals & internationals you tube him!

  • Comment posted by Mike, at 15:15 28 Sep 2017

    For all you doubters that David Brooks has only joined Wales because he might not be good enough to play for England I will give you some facts. David was in the England under 20s team that won the tournament this summer where he scored in the Semi final and got the winning goal in the final. He was also picked in the team of the tournament and was overall player of the tournament. your deluded

  • Comment posted by Luke95, at 15:41 28 Sep 2017

    England fan here. Fair play calling an inform, hungry young player who plays football.

    We on the other hand have called up Delph who has played barely no football whatsoever the past 2 years and is rubbish :(

  • Comment posted by NOTGOINGOUT-REPRISE, at 12:57 28 Sep 2017

    Wales are going to have one hell of a side with so many talented youngsters coming through

  • Comment posted by potterwm, at 12:06 28 Sep 2017

    Six points needed from the two games!
    Come on Wales,you can do it!

  • Comment posted by Super D Boon, at 12:06 28 Sep 2017

    Come on Wales!

  • Comment posted by Antonoir, at 13:15 28 Sep 2017

    I don't understand why all the hate on Wales playing these guys. It's not like Raheem Sterling, Nathaniel Cholabah and Owain Hargreaves were born in England either. England (as well as other nations) do exactly the same.

    Also, Ben Woodburn has always said he wanted to play for Wales, hence why he has played all age-groups for us.

  • Comment posted by Phil1927, at 13:36 28 Sep 2017

    To those who point out he isn’t Welsh born; nor are John Barnes, Matthew Le Saux, Matthew Le Tissier, Owen Hargreaves or the (Welsh born) Rob Jones, to name but a few – did you take the moral high ground then they all played for the almighty England?

  • Comment posted by Luke, at 13:27 28 Sep 2017

    Sheffield United to be fair, have produced some outstanding talents over the last few years. They helped produce the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker etc. Wouldn't surprise me if David Brooks is the next one. Best of luck to him on his call-up. From an England fan.

  • Comment posted by barry_toon, at 14:06 28 Sep 2017

    15. Posted by lewlil
    on
    52 minutes ago

    Anyone see Ben Woodburn play for Liverpool in the Carling cup the other week against Leicester? he was way off the pace and looked lost...

    Umm, anyone see him play for Wales this month?! Where he contributed heavily to both must win games with a winning goal and winning assist?!

  • Comment posted by Valleyboy, at 14:02 28 Sep 2017

    Fail to see how Wales are 'Poaching' England youngsters. Wilson, Ampadu and Woodburn all came through the WELSH youth set up only Brooks spent time in the England age group and that was only brief. Says a lot for England that Welsh qualified youngsters Eligible for England are turning their backs on them. They committed to Wales end of story.

  • Comment posted by User0938513697, at 14:39 28 Sep 2017

    @32 roverman

    The Welsh FA owe England sweet F A.

    Jelousy really is an ugly trait.

    Cheerio!

  • Comment posted by burdett89, at 13:15 28 Sep 2017

    @5.

    Wales do have such a "talented neighbour". They are lower in the world rankings and didn't get as far in the last major tournament.

    Want to borrow some players?

  • Comment posted by Gozza11, at 13:35 28 Sep 2017

    Last time I checked Wales went further in a major tournament. Maybe that's why? Also on the subject of dual nationality Michael Owen anyone?

  • Comment posted by sportscymrulad85, at 15:26 28 Sep 2017

    This is all because of the welsh set up and how tight nit everything is. Its a bonus wales are doing better than maybe we ever have but that's also a reason players who have a choice opt for wales. Long may it continue !!!!!

  • Comment posted by go green get humous, at 12:59 28 Sep 2017

    I predict the David Brooks will have a long and fruitful international career with Wales. He already has scouts from the Prem looking at him but will be better served by staying with the Blades, at least to the end of the season - please!

  • Comment posted by User0887440606, at 15:03 28 Sep 2017

    England never take advantage of eligibility to select a player, not in any sport.
    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

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