Sam Vokes' focus switches to his country

Mar 26 2008 icWales

Wales Under-21 striker Sam Vokes expects to be sold soon as Bournemouth battle with administration and the 10-point deduction that has plunged them into the Coca-Cola League One relegation zone.

Vokes, who has hit 11 goals for the Dorset club – and four in seven games for the under-21s – is aware Newcastle are monitoring his progress.

But the Southampton-born youngster will put his club future aside today against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo and try to fire Wales’ youngsters closer to qualification for the European Championship finals in Sweden next summer.

Vokes, 18, will partner Norwich’s on-loan striker Ched Evans knowing two wins from their final three qualifiers will be enough to win Group D and send Wales into November’s play-offs.

Vokes said: “I have been told by the (Bournemouth) manager (Kevin Bond) that clubs are interested in me, and with the administration it seems that I will be sold eventually.

“It has been a difficult season for us at Bournemouth, going into administration and ending up in the relegation zone with 10 points deducted has been tough.

“Everyone just has to keep their heads up and get on with the job. Getting docked 10 points is never easy and avoiding the drop will be tough, but it is still possible.

“I know that Newcastle have shown interest, the gaffer called me in and told me that.

“But I do not expect anything now until the summer, so my aim is to do my very best for Bournemouth and hope that we can get out of trouble.”

Vokes, who qualifies for Wales because his grandfather was born in Colwyn Bay, said: “We can win this group, we have done really well.

“Maybe before these under-21 matches are looked at as stepping stones to the senior side, but it’s more than that now.

“We can qualify, and that will be a massive boost for everyone. But to do that we have to win in Bosnia, which will not be easy. And we have two tough ones with Romania to end the group.

“I’ve scored 11 for Bournemouth and that has got me noticed. And playing and scoring for Wales Under-21s has just underlined that.”