Youngsters get chance to impress Toshack

Wales U21s will use tonight’s friendly against Cyprus to see if uncapped goalkeepers Kyle Letheren and Sam Pearce can add to competition in the senior squad.

National boss John Toshack last week underlined his serious problems in the goalkeeping department and will have an eye on Swansea’s Letheren and Bristol City’s Pearce in Paphos.

Toshack travelled to Cyprus on Sunday, making an earlier-than-expected trip to be able to take a training session with the youngsters before the senior squad arrives. His concerns about strength in depth are clear.

At senior level Toshack has Danny Coyne out injured for a year, Paul Jones nearing his 39th birthday, with 21-year-old Lewis Price about to be given his first cap in tomorrow’s senior international.

Cover is depleted, with only Gillingham’s Jason Brown – out with a hand injury - anywhere near the required standard. Toshack and U21 boss Brian Flynn have high hopes for Wolves 17-year-old Wayne Hennessey, but the giant youngster is out for three months following a cartilage operation.

Flynn said: “Both young ’keepers have the chance to impress, with Wayne (Hennessey) out injured.”