Hammers young gun Collison set for Wales fast track

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The victory puts the Welsh in with a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Championship finals, and they will boost those hopes further tonight if they can beat group favourites France at Cardiff's Ninian Park.

Collison, 19, is boss Brian Flynn's latest Welsh discovery, the Watford-born youngster having a grandfather from the Rhondda.

Flynn said: "Jack was outstanding on his debut and scored a great goal. He is already in John Toshack's thoughts for a move up to the seniors.

"But he has been told he has to get himself into West Ham's first team. There is stiff competition there for him, but he has to have targets.

"He has been in their squad a couple of times recently, and we are hearing good things from West Ham about how soon he might make the breakthrough there. We are confident."

But with Scott Parker, Hayden Mullins, Mark Noble and Lee Bowyer in front of him, the competition is fierce for Collison.

Wales, though, will monitor his progress and he will certainly come into the reckoning for their senior home friendly with Norway at Wrexham in February.

Flynn's new breed have made quite an impact this season, with 15 goals in five games and only three defeats in 13 matches.

But he warned: "The trouble is that people are making us favourites to beat France, and that is unrealistic. They are one of the best sides at this level in Europe.

"But the lads know that to have any chance of qualifying, these are the games they must win and against teams better than us."

Flynn, who has called up Wrexham's Marc Williams in place of the injured Rhys Williams, will not be resorting to using the half-dozen lads in the senior squad still qualified for the under-21s.

He said: "Yes, we have several lads like Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter and Joe Ledley who could still play for us. But I will always stick with the young players I have now in my squad, if they get a chance of qualifying for a finals then it is up to them to achieve it.

"Let's face it, England haven't used Wayne Rooney in their under-21s, although he has been qualified. You must have confidence in your own lads and stick by them."