Wales Under-21s call on Blake and Ramsey to cross Maltese

Jan 22 2008 South Wales Echo

AARON Ramsey and Darcy Blake are in the Wales Under-21 team for their Uefa Championship match against Malta next month, writes Terry Phillips.

Victory in Malta on Tuesday, February 5, could lift Wales to the top of their group and they have already beaten Malta 3-1 at home.

Ramsey, 17 and City’s newest senior professional having signed his first contract last month, has played FA Cup, League Cup and Coca-Cola Championship football for the Bluebirds, while Blake, 19, went on as a substitute during the 3-3 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns last weekend.

City midfielder Ramsey is due to play in their rescheduled FAW Premier Cup tie at Welshpool Town tonight, although there is a morning inspection at the Maes y Dre ground.

The winners of this tie will play Newport County in the semi-finals, while Llanelli take on Carmarthen Town or The New Saints in an all-Welsh Premier League contest.

Blake is ruled out of tonight’s match as he is serving a one-game suspension after being booked twice in the competition last season, while Darren Purse and goalkeeper Peter Enckelman are among the first team squad players named for the trip to Welshpool. If tonight’s quarter-final is called off for a third time, it will be rearranged for February 5 (7pm).