Perked-up Pukki ready to sink Wales

Tee mu Pukki plans to shoot down Wales after rebuilding his confidence following Norwich’ s relegation from the Premier League.

The Finland striker made a stunning start in the English top flight last season, scoring six goals in five games for the promoted Can aries. But Pukki’ s problems in front of goal mirrored Norwich’ s slide down the table, with the 30 -year-old former Celtic forward netting only twice after Christmas.

Norwich were relegated with only 21 points –13 a drift of second-bottom Watford – and lost all 10 matches after lockdown.

“There was a test of selfconfidence,” s aid Pukki, speaking ahead of Finland’ s Nations League opener against Wales in Helsinki tonight.

“For myself and the whole team, we did not succeed in the games. That’s why we dropped out of( the Premier League). Personally, when there are no goals, it’s not an easy time for the attacker. My main job is to help the team with goals.”

Pukki was back among the goals on Norwich’ s pre-season tour of Germany last month. He scored in wins over Dynamo Dresden and SV Darmstadt.

“Of course, a couple of goals in training games boosted my mood and selfconfidence,” added Pukki, who spearheaded Finland’s march to the delayed 2020 European Championship with 10 goals.

“They were just training games, but it was important to get goals after a long time. I tried to forget about the rest of the season and start over now. Now it feels better again. Now I have full focus on the national team and these games. When I get back there, then the focus starts on the club.”