Swansea Six In Wales Squad For Under-21 Tests

Swansea City have six players in the Wales under-21 squad for their Uefa Championship group matches against Romania away and Switzerland at Rodney Parade.

The six are Keston Davies, Cian Harries, Liam Cullen, Daniel James, Brandon Cooper, Aaron Lewis, while Mark Harris and Cameron Coxe are the Cardiff City players in the group.

Joe Rodon was another Swansea man selected, but he has been promoted to the manager Ryan Giggs’ seniors for their clash with Spain at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday.

Striker George Thomas has also been called up by Giggs from the under-21s.

Keston Davies and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans were late additions after Rodon and injured ex-Bluebirds midfield player Rabbi Matondo were ruled out.

Cardiff’s Coxe is suspended and out of the group fixture in Romania, but is available for the home clash with the Swiss.

Mark Harris, the Cardiff striker who is playing for League Two Newport County on loan, is eligible for both matches.

Bridgend-born central defender Cooper, who is from Porthcawl, is one of the Swansea six. He made his international debut at this level when Wales played Portugal last month.

Bluebirds’ teenage striker Mark Harris, now on loan at Newport County, is in Wales under-21 squad.

Cooper has also been named in the Wales under-19 squad for their fixture against next Monday, but is likely to stay with Page and the under-21 group.

He has been with the Swans’ Academy since the age of six and is now 18-years-old. He has played for his club’s youth and under-23 teams, while he signed a two-year professional contract extension during March this year.

Cooper has played first team football for Swansea in the Carabao Cup, during a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace, and their under-21s in the Football League Trophy. 

Manager Rob Page has named a strong squad for the trip to Romania and his Welsh teams home match against Switzerland in their closing games of the 2019 Uefa European Championship qualifying campaign.

The first game is in Cluj, Romania’s fourth most populated city at 320,000-plus, on Friday (5pm), while Switzerland play Wales at Rodney Parade, Newport next Tuesday (6pm).

David Brooks in action for Wales against Panama. Pic: Getty Images.

Under-21 regulars Dan James and Regan Poole have been impressing at club level, but Wales have failed to qualify for next year’s European Championship finals, but Page is pleased with the development pathway of his players over the campaign. 

Rodon, Harry Wilson, David Brooks, Matty Smith, Thomas and Chris Mepham have all featured for the Under-21 side over the last 12 months, impressing Giggs and breaking into the senior side.

Wales U21 Squad: Luke Pilling (Ashton United, on loan from Tranmere Rovers), Owen Evans (Wigan Athletic), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Regan Poole (Manchester United), Keston Davies (Swansea City – loan Notts County), Cameron Coxe (Cardiff City), Cian Harries (Swansea City), Isaac Christie-Davies (Liverpool), Aaron Lewis (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Newport County, on loan from Cardiff City), Alex Babos (Bristol City), Joe Morrell (Bristol City), Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (Bristol City – loan Torquay), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Nathan Broadhead (Everton), Daniel James (Swansea City), Ashley Baker (Sheffield Wednesday), Brandon Cooper (Swansea City), Robbie Burton (Arsenal).

Under-21 matches,

Romania v Wales at the Dr Constantin Rădulescu Stadium, Cluj-Napoca on Friday (Kick-off 7pm local time, 5pm UK time). Referee: Boris Marhefka (Slovakia)

Wales v Switzerland at Rodney Parade, Newport on Tuesday, October 16 (6pm).

Referee: Clement Turpin  (France)

Wales under-21 manager Robert Page. Pic: Getty Images.

Group Eight

Played Won Draw Lost For Against Goal difference Points
Romania 8 5 3 0 13 4 9 18
Bosnia and Herzegovina 9 6 0 3 22 7 15 18
Portugal 8 5 1 2 20 9 11 16
Switzerland 9 3 1 5 10 15 -5 10
Wales 8 3 1 4 8 11 -3 10
Liechtenstein 8 0 0 8 2 29 -27 0

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