Jake Howells’ debut for Wales Under-21s on Wednesday has cast a ray of light over a controversial week in which Luton Town’s first league game of the season was postponed following civil unrest across the country.
The midfielder, who turned out for England C last season, was given a surprise call-up to the Principality side when head coach Brian Flynn discovered Welsh blood in his family after watching him in the Conference play-off final defeat to AFC Wimbledon in May.
Howells was handed a full 90 minutes where his new adopted nation were beaten 2-1 by Hungary through a last-minute goal from Zsolt Haraszti at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium in Haverfordwest.
He returned from international duty on Thursday and admitted that the riots and the postponement of the AFC Telford match had been the hot training ground topic.
“Everyone was talking about it,” he said, adding: “With all the mayhem that has been going on it [postponement] is probably for the best. Playing a game of football is not what is needed, but hopefully things will calm down.
“It just means there are a few more days to go now [until our first game]. I’ve never come across something like this. It was annoying to keep having the kick-off time changed – maybe it should have been called off before.” But news of his bow for the Principality brought some joviality the training ground – none more so than Welshman Alex Lawless.
“There have been a couple of jokes, but we are the best of Welsh mates,” quipped Howells.
He added: “I loved the whole thing. It was a brilliant experience. I’m looking to bring it back to Luton now.”
It was the final friendly before Flynn picks his side for the opening match of their European Championships qualifying campaign away to Montenegro in Podgorica on September 6, but Howells is none the wiser about his chances of selection.
He admitted: “The gaffer just said, ‘well done and I hope to see you next time’. Whether that means I’ll get selected for the Euros, I don’t know.
“I think it’s the sort of thing you have to take with a pinch of salt.” But he is confident he did the best he could to give the Under-21 boss food for thought.
“I hope I get picked. I definitely noticed a step up in sharpness and the quality of the football,” he said, adding: “I did learn from it and feel it can help make me a better player.
“I adapted quite well, I thought. When I heard I was in the starting lineup I got a bit nervous but once I was out on the pitch I just did what I’d been asked to and got into it.” “I knew it was a step up so I prepared mentally for that.”
