BURNING AMBITION
LIVERPOOL STARLET WOODBURN SET FOR WALES LINK-UP:
Chris Coleman is ready to hand Liverpool record-breaker Ben Woodburn his Wales breakthrough as he prepares to name him in his plans for the World Cup qualifying clash with the Republic of Ireland, writes Chris Wathan.
But his expected inclusion is not intended to commit the dual-qualified starlet to Wales by capping him. The teen’s place in Coleman’s ranks is based on his eye-catching progress at Anfield rather than his potential eligibility for England.
National boss Coleman will name a 23-man selection today for the Group D showdown in Dublin as the qualifying stakes are raised at the Aviva Stadium next week.
The squad will include star man Gareth Bale who has returned to fitness following a successful ankle operation in December, and Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey who is back in action after a calf problem.
But there is a clamour to discover whether 17-year-old Woodburn – who made headlines earlier this season when he became Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer – will also be among the names for the game with Martin O’Neill’s group leaders.
It is thought Woodburn had been provisionally included in an extended squad drawn up by Coleman ahead of a game that could yet be pivotal to Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the 2018 finals in Russia.
It would have at least seen the Reds rookie drafted into camp for training and a taster of life within the Euro 2016 semi-finalists’ set-up. Coleman has previously brought in Woodburn’s teenage teammates such as Tyler Roberts and Ethan Amapdu into training squads to further their experience and aid future transition into the senior side.
However, it is thought Coleman has now decided that Woodburn’s growing experience under Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League is enough to hand the teenage talent a full and formal call-up for the sell- out tie, with the national boss expected to confirm his decision when he names his squad.
It will see Woodburn follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bale, Ramsey and others such as Joe Allen in being given a senior opening before turning 20.
Coleman has been hit by some injury issues with frontman Simon Church missing and Ipswich’s onloan Cardiff midfielder Emyr Huws unavailable after picking up a hamstring strain.
But Woodburn was already firmly in the reckoning after seven senior outings for Liverpool this term, including a significant substitute appearance in the recent win over Burnley where he replaced Philippe Coutinho.
Assistant boss Osian Roberts had already admitted Woodburn is “knocking on the door” of a full callup having caught the eye at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
The Liverpool product became the club’s youngest ever scorer in November when he found the net in an EFL Cup tie with Leeds, beating Michael Owen’s record.