Welsh football players. - Young guns

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones

Young guns news - Friday 30th September 2005.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) Has penned a contract extension that will keep him at Ashton Gate until June 2008. The Wales U21 international has been rewarded by the club for his performances on the pitch with a new deal. The 17 year old was thrilled with the deal and will now look to build on the form that new manager Gary Johnson has brought to the team as he looks to take the into the Championship.

"We're looking after our prised assets. Dave certainly deserves the new deal." Steve Lansdown, Bristol City Chairman

Matthew Collins (Fulham - midfielder) Will look to start full training again in around three to four weeks as he looks to recover from hamstring problems. The club are taking things slowly with his rehab after a few previous breakdowns on the road to recovery.

Ryan Crockford (Reading - midfielder) Scored from the penalty spot as the Reading U18 team ran riot against Coventry at the weekend, scoring seven goals as the Sky Blues sank without a trace. The former Wales U17 training camp member scored his sides seventh from the spot and will now look to kick on after a quiet start to the season for the talented play maker.

Adam Davies (Cambridge - defender) Kept his starting place last weekend as Cambridge made up for the disastrous midweek display by beating 4-0. The Wales U19 and U21 defender has been mentioned by none other than John Toshack this week as the national manager spoke of youngsters coming through the system.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) Unleashed a cracker to win the reserve team against Birmingham on Monday night. The Wales U19 international put in a tigerish display alongside Junichi Inamoto in a very tight mini local derby. With an hour of the game gone, Davies unleashed a 25 yard curler which nestled in the bottom right hand corner of the net to secure the points. The Welsh youngster who played for the senior team during pre-season seems to be kicking on in style this season and will have one eye on the U21 team if things continue to progress so well for him.

Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - striker) Realises that he has a second opportunity at the Memorial Stadium after the axing of manager Ian Atkins last week. The Welsh qualified forward did not see eye to eye with the boss and realises that ex Wales international Paul Trollope taking temporary reins gives him another bite at the cherry. "This is a fresh start under a new manager, or under Paul, and we've all got to a chance of being involved." Lewis Haldane

Mark Jones (Wrexham - midfielder) Hit the net to give his side a glimmer of hope in the second half against Wycombe, but it was quickly doused by the free scoring high fliers. There are rumours that Jones is being watched by the Welsh posse at Ewood Park and with goals like the 25 yard rasper at the Causeway to back his talent, he could well find himself leaving sooner, rather than later.

Michael Jones (Wrexham - goalkeeper) Replaced first choice goalkeeper Michael Ingham after 25 minutes of the game against Macclesfield at the weekend. The youngster once again impressed manager Denis Smith and looks likely to keep his place for the game against Wycombe with Ingham struggling to make it back.

Scott McCoubrey (Cardiff - midfielder) Bagged a brace as the Cardiff U18 team beat Spurs 3-1 on Saturday morning. The Wales U17 and U19 international scored his sixth goal in as many games as the young Bluebirds beat the travelling Londoners who included Matt Wells (Spurs - defender) in the starting XI.

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) Scored with a diving header as the Southamtpon U16 team drew 4-4 in a pulsating game against Crystal Palace at the weekend. The former Cardiff academy member has joined the many Welsh qualified youngsters at St Marys and will now look to progress in a similar vain to Gareth Bale, Lloyd James and Arron Davies before them. He was joined in the starting XI by Ian Jones (Southampton - defender)

Rhys Powell (Bolton - defender) Was once again to the fore as the Bolton reserve team held Wolves to a 0-0 draw on Monday night. The Wales youth international was part of a young Bolton starting XI and will again be pleased to get another 90 minutes under his belt as he strives impress that staff at the Reebok.

Rhyos Wiggins (Crystal Palace - defender) Has impressed reserve team manager Kit Symons this year and has remained a mainstay of the second string campaign this season. The defender played the full 90 minutes as the Eagles ran out 2-1 winners, coming from behind to beat Portsmouth.

Young guns news - Friday 23rd September 2005.

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Got another 90 minutes under his belt as he returned from injury at the weekend. The former Wales U17 international played 90 minutes as the Charlton U18 team cruised to a 4-1 win over Leicester City.

Mark Bradley (Walsall - midfielder) Bagged a goal and an assist as Walsall reserves trounced Barnsley 6-2 in midweek. The Wales U19 international has hit the ground running this season and set up his sides equaliser with a cross before collecting a goal himself with a close range header.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) Steered home a pass to score with 6 minutes to go as manager less City secured a much needed point against Blackpool at the weekend. Since scoring for the Welsh U21 side, the talented front man has been in a rich vein of form even if his side has not.

Andrew Crofts (Gillingham - midfield/forward) Hit the winning goal as the Gills registered one of the shocks of the Second Round of the Carling Cup. The Wales U21 international pounced after 93 minutes to turn in a cross to give his a prize scalp in Premiership Portsmouth.

Kyle Critchell (Southampton - defender) Had his plaster off on Tuesday afternoon and will now have his injured knee placed in a brace for six weeks. He will be out for the remainder of the season.

Adam Davies (Cambridge - defender) Got his first start of the season this week after some impressive performances whilst away on international duty with the Wales U19 and 21 squads. The night suddenly capitulated for the U's though with visitors Grays Athletic charging into a 4-1 half time lead. The game finished 5-3 with Davies having had a baptism of fire but still backed by his manager. "He made mistakes on Tuesday but other than that I thought he acquitted himself quite well. He was down about it, but he's an asset to the club. It was a baptism of fire against a very good side, but the experience will make him stronger." Rob Newman

Arron Davies (Yeovil - striker) Came off the bench to give his side a glimmer of hope in the Carling Cup fixture against Millwall this week. The young Dragon was benched in place of Argentinean Bastianini, but showed his worth by coming on in the second half to turn things around for his side.

Craig Davies (Oxford - striker) Scored his sides second goal to secure all three points as Oxford beat Darlington at the weekend. The Wales senior international rounded the goalkeeper in the 76th minute to clinch the points as he took the game to the Quakers after coming off the subs bench.

Peter Ferris (Carlisle - striker) Bagged a brace for the second string, with one being an absolute corker as the striker showed glimpses of a man in form. The former Wales U19 international smacked one in from 35 yards, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. His second came from a regulation 16 yards as the reserve team ran riot in a 5-0 win over Wrexham on Wednesday night.

Stuart Fleetwood (Cardiff - striker) Was another Wales U21 squad member to get a run out during the Carling Cup this week. The young striker started the encounter with lowly Macclesfield as manager Dave Jones was without cup tied Michael Ricketts and virus victim Cameron Jerome. It was a Fleetwood run that led to his side's equaliser, with his cross bouncing back to Joe Ledley who fired home.

Adam Gross (Barnet - defender) Made a return to training and to the reserve side this week after missing the last three league games due to a groin injury. The former Wales U19 international had a run of five first team games after replacing the also injured Ismail Yakubu and got a welcome run out during the second string loss against Leyton Orient. He will now hope to break back into the starting XI as the high flying Bees look for a shock promotion in their first season back in the League.

Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - striker) Will be brought back from his loan spell at Forest Green Rovers after the sacking of Ian Atkins this week. The striker was in the middle of a second month at Forest Green Rovers and will now hope to convince acting manager Paul Trollope that he should remain around the first team squad rather than return to get more experience elsewhere.

Joe Jacobsen (Cardiff - defender) + Jon Kift (Cardiff - striker) Both scored as the reserves made it a good week for the Bluebirds with a 2-1 over Wycombe. Jacobsen was the first to strike as he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and scored from a rebound and then Kift struck to seal the points with a well taken under pressure.

Michael Jones (Wrexham - goalkeeper) Came through the game against Leyton Orient with flying colours as the youngster proved what a good breeding ground for talented youngsters. In his first League start the stopper nicknamed "Carrots" did all that could be expected of him and won praise from manager Denis Smith. "Michael did amazingly well, especially when you remember he is only 17 years old. If you didn't know, you would have thought he was a much more experienced player on that display." Denis Smith

Joe Ledley (Cardiff - midfielder) Converted a Stuart Fleetwood cross to claw back a 1-0 deficit as the Bluebirds made tough work of Macclesfield in the Second Round of the Carling Cup. It seems that Ledley is well and truly over his foot injury and could well force himself into the Welsh senior starting XI with Carl Robinson struggling to keep a regular place in the Sunderland side.

Dan Martin (Notts County - defender) Was called into the starting XI on Saturday as the Magpies took on Shrewsbury at Gay Meadow. The Wales U19 and U21 international was unlucky not to get on the score sheet but will not have been pleased with the score sheet as the Shrews ran out 2-0 winners.

Lee Worgan (Unattached - goalkeeper) Is on trial at Ninian Park after finding himself without a club after being released by Rushden and Diamonds last season. The Wales U21 international played for the reserves against Wycombe this week and will hope to impress reserve team coach Paul Wilkinson.

Karl Yelland (QPR - defender) Helped the U18 team to a 3-1 win over Northampton at the weekend. Although a knock with 10 minutes to go blew his chances of playing for the reserves against Spurs on Monday after he had been selected. He will now hope to be fit for the weekend.

Young guns news - Friday 16th September 2005.

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Started his first game back from injury on Saturday as the Addicks U18 team drew 2-2 Coventry City. The former Wales U17 international will now hope to regain full fitness during the season as he looks to gain further international recognition.

Ramon Calliste (Liverpool - striker) Created havoc but could not get the goal he craved as the Liverpool reserves beat Wolves 1-0 on Wednesday night. The Wales U21 striker has slotted in comfortably with life at Melwood and will now hope to boost his tally with a few goals over the coming weeks to enhance his chances of staying on for another year and to also vindicate the great faith shown to him by Brian Flynn.

David Cotterill (Bristol City - striker) Hit the back of the net Bristol on Saturday with a great curling shot inside the far post, but that could not disguise the fact that Swansea spanked seven in at the other end. It was the second time in a week for the Welsh youngster to score and his side to go on and lose, after hitting in the back of the net for the Wales U21 side in midweek against Poland.

David Edwards (Shrewsbury - midfielder) Underwent surgery to to repair both sides of his hernia this week. The 19 year old who has been impressive in an un familiar position on the right side of midfield, will now face a spell on the sidelines as he faces his first major setback in a fledgling career.

Richard Evans (Sheffield Wednesday - midfielder) Played for Yeovil reserves this week as he tries to find a new lease of life away from Hillsborough. The former Wales U21 player played the full 90 minutes as Yeovil drew 1-1 with Bristol City. He will now hope he has done enough to earn another shot to impress Gary Johnson.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) Continued his red hot scoring form with a well taken penalty as the Saints U18 team thumped Birmingham 6-0 on Saturday morning. The Wales U19 midfielder has been in sparkling form this season as have the Saints youth team. The starting XI also contained Gareth Bale (defender) in the back four.

David Jones (Manchester Utd/Preston North End - midfielder) Added to his growing reputation with an early goal as Preston beat Millwall last Saturday. The Manchester Utd midfielder curled in a superb free kick from 25 yards out to score his second goal in two games. The Welsh qualified midfielder must surely be high on Brian Flynn's call register, because with more displays like this one, he will become very hot property.

Ollie Holmes (Cambridge - midfielder) Was one of many scorers this week as the Cambridge youth team ran riot during the Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup against Wingate. The young flyer scored his sides sixth goal as they trounced the visitors 10-0 to advance to the next round.

Alex Lawless (Torquay - defender) Returned to fitness just in time to help the seaside club win their first game of the season against Shrewsbury on Saturday. The former Fulham academy member started the game as the Gulls won 2-1 to relieve the pressure on manager Leroy Rosenior.

Lewin Nyatanga (Derby - defender) Made the bench for the senior side on Sunday in the live league game against Crewe. The Burton born defender has had a meteoric rise over the past few months, advancing from the U17's right through to captaining the U21's against Malta as well as signing a pro contract for his club and appearing against Grimsby during the Carling Cup defeat, and will now look to push on and become a permanent fixture in the senior squad. Although Lewin didn't make it off the bench he will be very encouraged by the fact that manager Phil Brown has so much faith in him.

Daniel Nardiello (Barnsley - striker) - Hit a curling free kick to score his sides third goal as Barnsley beat Gillingham 3-0 on Tuesday night. The Welsh qualified striker has not quite nailed down the first team spot he would have liked after his move down the leagues from Old Trafford and will now realise that life could well be tougher than he thought. It is still very puzzling why he has not nailed his colours to the international mast yet, as life with the Three Lions looks a very distant dream.

Tom Sparey (Shrewsbury - defender) Scored with a speculative effort from a free kick as the youth team crashed 3-2 to Wigan. The Welsh youngster took a long free kick and the ball sailed in without touching anyone. The young defender was joined in the starting XI by Wales U17 training camp attendee Shane Sutton (defender).

Young guns news - Friday 9th September 2005.

Mark Bradley (Walsall - midfielder) - Side footed his sides first goal as the Walsall youth team ran out 4-2 victors against Chester on Saturday. The Wales U19 international was very impressive and created his sides second with a superb through ball. He will now look forward to earning another cap when he plays against Northern Ireland on the 13th of September.

Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) - Got an assist and a goal to his name in the first Midlands reserve derby of the 2005/06 season. The Wales U19 international set up his sides first goal with an speculative through ball before he settled matters by skipping into the penalty box before firing an acute drive across Stefan Postma. The former Wrexham youth team player will have taken great heart from the fact that he was included in the senior side for the pre-season games and will now try and convince manager Bryan Robson that he has what it takes to make the step up on a permanent basis.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) - Underlined his credentials as the Southampton U18 team romped to a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at the weekend. James was joined in the starting XI by fellow Wales U21 standby player, Gareth Bale (defender). He also started for the reserves in midweek as the Saints second string once again included a mix of youth and experience in a 2-1 win against West Ham.

Scott McCoubrey (Cardiff - midfielder) - Is on a hot scoring streak after getting the only goal of the game as Cardiff City's U18 team beat Charlton 1-0 on Saturday. The Welsh U19 international raced through the middle to register the games only goal in a heated contest.

Lewis Powell (Bristol Rovers - defender) - Scored as the youth team ran riot against Hereford last weekend. The former Swan hit the back of the net as Rovers ran out 5-0 winners.

Rhys Powell (Bolton - defender) - Captained a youthful Bolton reserves on Monday night against Everton. The Cardiff born youngster played the full 90 minutes and made some telling interceptions as the Trotters fell to a solitary goal in the first half. It's very puzzling as to why Powell is not a part of the Wales U19 squad for the Northern Ireland game having not even made the standby list for any internationals since withdrawing from a Wales U19 training camp with an injury.

Dale Williams (Yeovil - striker) - Will be joining Tiverton on loan for a month as manager Gary Johnson looks to give him some game time to build up his experience. "Dale is going to Tiverton after playing in our Youth Team. We feel it is a starting point for Dale and I am sure he will do well at that level." Gary Johnson - Yeovil manager

Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace - defender) - Played the full 90 minutes as Kit Symons' reserve side beat Leicester 2-0 on Tuesday night. Wiggins started in a very inexperienced back line which held firm to give his side the win and continued the winning start to the season for the Eagles second string. The Leicester back line contained former Wales U16 captain Liam Norval.

Karl Yelland (QPR - defender) - Got 90 minutes and a clean sheet under his belt as the QPR youth team beat Cambridge 1-0 on Saturday. The former Wales U17 international seems to be enjoying life down at Loftus Road after being released by Southampton academy. He has made the right back position his own at U18 level and will look to get some starts for the reserves soon.

Young guns news - Friday 2nd September 2005.

Abdhi Ahmed (Blackburn - striker) - Will play for the Blackburn U18's this season after joining the academy for the 2005/06 season. The striker was in the starting XI as Rovers beat Fulham 3-1 on Saturday.

Ramon Calliste (Liverpool - striker) - Celebrated his new one year contract by being called into the Wales U21 squad and by being selected for the Liverpool reserves on Tuesday night against WBA. The former Manchester Utd academy hitman played for an hour before being replaced by lighthouse striker Peter Crouch. The WBA starting XI contained the impressive Rob Davies (WBA - midfielder) who was denied on a few occasions by good saves from the Reds keeper.

Stuart Edwards (Llanelli - defender) - Has joined the ever increasing ranks of full time pros at Stebonheath after accepting an offer to join the Spanish Armada down in West Wales. The former Wales U19 international will probably make his debut in the West Wales derby on September the 7th.

James Frayne (Liverpool - striker) - Got off the bench on Saturday to score as Liverpool U18's crashed 3-2 against Ipswich. The nephew of on and off England goalkeeper Davied James scored off the under side of the bar to give his side a glimmer of hope.

Matthew Holt (Everton - defender) - Scored from a pin point cross to put the Everton U18's 1-0 in a game where they would throw away a 3-0 lead against West Ham. The Wales U19 defender will now hope that after the two friendly games against Turkey in August that he will have done enough to be included against Northern Ireland on the 13th of September.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) - Got an assist to his name as the Saints U18 team tharshed Sheffield Wednesday by 6-2 at the weekend. James has grown in stature at St Mary's over the past 12 months and along with fellow Welsh youth team colleague Gareth Bale (Southampton - defender) are on the standby list for the U21 team for the game against England on Friday night.

David Jones (Preston North End/Manchester Utd - midfielder) - Highlighted why is such a sought after commoditity within the Welsh set up with a very impressive performance in his first full start for North End in a 4-0 thrashing of Ipswich on Bank Holiday Monday. The Manchester Utd academy graduate scored one and set up striker David Nugent for another as his side ran riot against highly fancied Ipswich.

Scott McCoubrey (Cardiff - midfielder) - Got both goals as Cardiff City's U18 team came away with an impressive victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Wales U19 international scored from the spot and picked up his second with a header past thew keeper. He will now look forward to travelling to play against Northern Ireland in the U19 September friendly.