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25-05-2007, 18:00
http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/wd2111801wolves-v-albion-2.jpgWolves keeper Wayne Hennessey is poised for his full international call as Wales prepare to face New Zealand tomorrow.
And if he does appear at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, the 20-year-old will become the 10th player from Wolves’ Academy to become a full international.
That’s only one off a whole team of internationals groomed by Academy director Chris Evans – and with Joleon Lescott poised for his England ‘B’ debut against Albania at Burnley tonight, the 11th may not be all that far away from arriving either.
When Stephen Gleeson stepped off the Republic of Ireland bench in the 79th minute in the Giants Stadium on Wednesday against Ecuador, he became the ninth Wolves player to achieve full honours.
Ryan Green, now preparing to appear at Wembley tomorrow for Bristol Rovers against Shrewsbury in the League Two play-off final, was among the first players under Evans to be capped when he became Wales’ youngest ever international at 17.
Now 26, the right-back won caps against Tunisia and Malta under Bobby Gould in 1998.
Robbie Keane, easily Wolves’ most talented homegrown player in recent years, followed suit for the Republic of Ireland.
Others include Carl Robinson (Wales), Dominic Foley and Glenn Crowe (both Republic of Ireland) and Mark Clyde (Northern Ireland), while more recently, Sammy Clingan (Northern Ireland) and Jermaine Easter (Wales) have made the step up after moving away from Molineux with Nottingham Forest and Wycombe respectively.
Now Evans is confident Hennessey will take the same international route.
“It’s right for Wayne now. I wrote to John Toshack a few months ago after he did really well at Stockport on loan and now it looks like he might get his chance,” said Evans.
“He has been brought up with the right philosophy and is fanatical about playing for his country.
“With Welsh keepers coming to the end of their careers, it’s the right time for Wayne to make the step up to full international level.
“Two years ago, Brian Flynn identified Gareth Bale and Wayne Hennessey as two outstanding prospects for the future and they went to a training camp with the senior Welsh squad at Real Sociedad.
“In Welsh circles, they think very highly of Wayne and I know Paul Jones has been very impressed with him. I’ve always felt Wayne can go very far in the game.
“I was delighted for him when he got his chance to play in the play-offs when Matt Murray was injured and I have really high hopes for this lad.
“For his age, he has everything you could want in a goalkeeper: He’s 6ft 6ins tall, he’s agile and he can kick the ball the length of the field.
“His ground kicks are so good, he can dictate the play.”
Evans has equally high hopes for Gleeson, who won his first cap despite only having made four substitute’s appearances for Wolves’ first team.
“I believe Stephen Gleeson has Premier League credentials. For him to be capped against Ecuador is a breathtaking achievement – even for Steve Staunton to take him is fantastic,” said Evans.
“At just 18 years old, he’s the youngest in the squad and it’s wonderful for him and for Wolverhampton Wanderers, especially at a time when we have a new owner on board.
“As a successful businessman, Steve Morgan is going to want to see the club is self-generating and we have a conveyor belt of talent here.
“To see the likes of Wayne Hennessey and Stephen Gleeson coming through could save this club millions in the future.”
Both Hennessey and Gleeson honed their talents on loan with Stockport, and both caught the eye for different reasons.
While the youngster from Anglesey took his place in football’s hall of fame by recording nine successive clean sheets – a Football League record – Gleeson secured his place in the hearts of the County faithful.
“They held a ‘Stephen Gleeson Day’ when he left – how many clubs can you say have done that for a player? It’s fantastic,” said Evans.
Hennessey has jumped the queue for a place in the Welsh line-up and is keen to catch the eye of manager John Toshack.
Blackburn keeper Jason Brown has been given leave due to a family illness, meaning 33-year-old Danny Coyne – released by Burnley – could retain his place.
If not, there’s the prospect of Hennessey or Lewis Price getting a run-out.
And after tasting the cauldron atmosphere of a play-off semi-final, Hennessey is thrilled at the prospect of taking his talents onto the international stage.
He said: “Losing in the play-offs was disappointing, but overall this is a great time for me.$
“Being at Stockport helped me enormously as I got to play regularly. It was also good experience being with Wales under-21s.$
“So, to get the call up to the senior squad was a big thrill and it would be great to get a game.”
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/25/the-international-academy/)
And if he does appear at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, the 20-year-old will become the 10th player from Wolves’ Academy to become a full international.
That’s only one off a whole team of internationals groomed by Academy director Chris Evans – and with Joleon Lescott poised for his England ‘B’ debut against Albania at Burnley tonight, the 11th may not be all that far away from arriving either.
When Stephen Gleeson stepped off the Republic of Ireland bench in the 79th minute in the Giants Stadium on Wednesday against Ecuador, he became the ninth Wolves player to achieve full honours.
Ryan Green, now preparing to appear at Wembley tomorrow for Bristol Rovers against Shrewsbury in the League Two play-off final, was among the first players under Evans to be capped when he became Wales’ youngest ever international at 17.
Now 26, the right-back won caps against Tunisia and Malta under Bobby Gould in 1998.
Robbie Keane, easily Wolves’ most talented homegrown player in recent years, followed suit for the Republic of Ireland.
Others include Carl Robinson (Wales), Dominic Foley and Glenn Crowe (both Republic of Ireland) and Mark Clyde (Northern Ireland), while more recently, Sammy Clingan (Northern Ireland) and Jermaine Easter (Wales) have made the step up after moving away from Molineux with Nottingham Forest and Wycombe respectively.
Now Evans is confident Hennessey will take the same international route.
“It’s right for Wayne now. I wrote to John Toshack a few months ago after he did really well at Stockport on loan and now it looks like he might get his chance,” said Evans.
“He has been brought up with the right philosophy and is fanatical about playing for his country.
“With Welsh keepers coming to the end of their careers, it’s the right time for Wayne to make the step up to full international level.
“Two years ago, Brian Flynn identified Gareth Bale and Wayne Hennessey as two outstanding prospects for the future and they went to a training camp with the senior Welsh squad at Real Sociedad.
“In Welsh circles, they think very highly of Wayne and I know Paul Jones has been very impressed with him. I’ve always felt Wayne can go very far in the game.
“I was delighted for him when he got his chance to play in the play-offs when Matt Murray was injured and I have really high hopes for this lad.
“For his age, he has everything you could want in a goalkeeper: He’s 6ft 6ins tall, he’s agile and he can kick the ball the length of the field.
“His ground kicks are so good, he can dictate the play.”
Evans has equally high hopes for Gleeson, who won his first cap despite only having made four substitute’s appearances for Wolves’ first team.
“I believe Stephen Gleeson has Premier League credentials. For him to be capped against Ecuador is a breathtaking achievement – even for Steve Staunton to take him is fantastic,” said Evans.
“At just 18 years old, he’s the youngest in the squad and it’s wonderful for him and for Wolverhampton Wanderers, especially at a time when we have a new owner on board.
“As a successful businessman, Steve Morgan is going to want to see the club is self-generating and we have a conveyor belt of talent here.
“To see the likes of Wayne Hennessey and Stephen Gleeson coming through could save this club millions in the future.”
Both Hennessey and Gleeson honed their talents on loan with Stockport, and both caught the eye for different reasons.
While the youngster from Anglesey took his place in football’s hall of fame by recording nine successive clean sheets – a Football League record – Gleeson secured his place in the hearts of the County faithful.
“They held a ‘Stephen Gleeson Day’ when he left – how many clubs can you say have done that for a player? It’s fantastic,” said Evans.
Hennessey has jumped the queue for a place in the Welsh line-up and is keen to catch the eye of manager John Toshack.
Blackburn keeper Jason Brown has been given leave due to a family illness, meaning 33-year-old Danny Coyne – released by Burnley – could retain his place.
If not, there’s the prospect of Hennessey or Lewis Price getting a run-out.
And after tasting the cauldron atmosphere of a play-off semi-final, Hennessey is thrilled at the prospect of taking his talents onto the international stage.
He said: “Losing in the play-offs was disappointing, but overall this is a great time for me.$
“Being at Stockport helped me enormously as I got to play regularly. It was also good experience being with Wales under-21s.$
“So, to get the call up to the senior squad was a big thrill and it would be great to get a game.”
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/25/the-international-academy/)
