Success gives Hughes chance of wooing talent to Wales

Mark Hughes is working hard to convince three bright young England prospects that they should join his Wales revolution.

The Wales manager has been trying behind the scenes to persuade three players with dual qualifications to turn their back on England. Two of them, Aston Villa's Rob Edwards and Middlesbrough's exciting 17-year-old Andrew Davies, have been named in an experimental Wales Under-20 squad to play South Korea in a friendly at Ninian Park, Cardiff, on 11 February.

The third is arguably the biggest catch, but so far Manchester United's Danny Nardiello has decided to keep his options open and will not be in the Cardiff squad.

Edwards and Nardiello are sons of former Wales internationals, but were both born in England and have so far been progressing through the England youth ranks. Davies, who is just 17, is highly rated by Middlesbrough and qualifies through his Welsh grandparents.

The fact that Edwards and Davies, both central defenders, have implied that they are willing to play for the Under-20s –a decision which will not commit them to Wales full-time because the game is only a friendly – is hugely encouraging for Hughes.

The chances of the former Manchester United striker attracting bright young talent to the Wales fold have improved enormously in recent months on the back of the Hughes-inspired revival.

The big catch, though, would be Nardiello – who is expected to be among the next wave of Old Trafford youngsters to burst through into Sir Alex Ferguson's senior side. Nardiello is the 20-year-old Coventry-born son of the former Wales international Don, who played twice for Wales against Czechoslovakia and West Germany in 1978.

Hughes said: "I've spoken to Danny and his father – at the moment he's going to keep his options open. I always say to them 'do that and see how you progress and then it's easier to make a decision on what country you want to chose'."

The manager continued: "There are a few players I would like to have included, but maybe not for this time but the future.

"Rob is a young man who is doing well at his club, we are very much aware that he's available for us. But other players, too, must decide which way they want to go. They must decide whether they want to be Welsh internationals, that's a decision only they can make. We will keep an eye on them.

"There are a few coming through we are now aware of, maybe it's because we are doing well and we are getting more phone calls highlighting people who are available. In the past we have had to get out there and look ourselves."

WALES UNDER-20 SQUAD (for friendly international v South Korea, Ninian Park, Cardiff, 11 February): Brown (Gillingham), Whitfield (Wrexham), Price (Hull), Pejic (Wrexham), Moss (Shrewsbury Town), Collins (Cardiff), Rowland (Port Vale), R Edwards (Aston Villa), Davies (Middlesbrough), Tolley (Shrewsbury Town), M Williams (Manchester United), Mumford (Swansea City), Brough (Notts County), Vaughan (Crewe Alexandra), Birchall (Arsenal), G Williams (Crystal Palace).