MX23RW : Friday, May 17 00:37:14| >> :600:4340380:4340380:

Robert Page excited to coach "ambitious and hungry" Wales youngsters at Euros

Robert Page excited to coach
© Reuters
Wales have an average age of 25 years, six months and 26 days.

Robert Page has embraced Wales having the third youngest squad at Euro 2020 by insisting his inexperienced players have the ambition and hunger to succeed.

Wales have an average age of 25 years, six months and 26 days ā€“ almost two years younger than the squad which reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France.

Only England and Group A rivals Turkey have younger groups than Wales, with Gareth Southgate's squad the second youngest at Euro 2020 with an average age of 25 years, three months and nine days.

"I have a great group and a very good mix," interim boss Page said ahead of Wales' tournament opener against Switzerland in Baku on Saturday.

"The older ones have got great character, temperament and personality.

"But we've got young, ambitious and hungry players coming into the squad that want their jerseys. Nobody can rest on what they've done before.

"There's a good blend and on top of that they're good characters.

"I liken it to a club environment and that is hard to achieve when you've only got them for sporadic moments throughout the year."

Wales v Hungary ā€“ UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying ā€“ Group E ā€“ Cardiff City Stadium
Aaron Ramsey (left) and Gareth Bale are two of eight survivors from Wales' Euro 2016 squad (Nick Potts/PA)

There are eight survivors from Wales' Euro 2016 squad in Page's 26-man party ā€“ skipper Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, Chris Gunter, Danny Ward, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams and Wayne Hennessey.

Sixteen players have 20 caps or less, five have under 10 appearances and Cardiff midfielder Rubin Colwill made his debut against France last week.

"There's absolutely no fear with youngsters," Page said. "You've seen that with Rubin, he belongs here.

"Look at Joe Morrell's performance against France. He was like 'give me the ball', he wanted to be the best player on the pitch.

"We've got hungry players like that. It's not just about having talented footballers.

"It'sĀ  about the right characters as well and all our players have got that."

David Brooks has yet to hit the 20-cap mark since making his debut in November 2017.

The 23-year-old Bournemouth midfielder has been blighted by injuries and underwent two ankle operations in 2019.

But Brooks stepped up his fitness during Euro 2020 warm-up friendlies against France and Albania, winning his 18th cap in the latter on Saturday.

"I am really excited for Brooksy," Page said. "Some of the things he does in training just puts a smile on your face and I want the supporters to see that.

"It's been a frustrating couple of years for him.

"But having a fit David Brooks is beneficial to us and we will get him on the grass as much as we can."

ID:450633: cacheID:450633:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6570:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aaron Ramsey in action for Juventus on February 27, 2021
Read Next:
Aaron Ramsey insists he is "in a good place" ahead of Euro 2020
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!