Manchester City and Wales star Ben Thatcher (pictured) has tipped three young Gwent players to make a big impact - in the Premiership.

Thatcher, 29, the Swindon defender who recently qualified to play for Wales through his Welsh grandmother (from Barry), has plied his trade with four Premiership clubs and the former Tottenham and Leicester man believes Wales' Gwent connection have what it takes to make it at the top.

He told the Argus: I have played with a lot of the Welsh defenders because of players pulling out of squads due to injuries, but I spend a lot of time training with all of the defenders and they are all very professional and talented, including the Danny Gabbidon and James Collins.

"They are both young, but they are extremely talented players and I haven't noticed a difference playing with them compared to playing with my team-mates in the Premiership, they certainly have the talent to play at the highest level, they could compete without question.

Another player who has caught Thatcher's eye is Carl Fletcher, who also qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, who is from Ebbw Vale. He explained: "I have been very impressed with Carl Fletcher. I know there was talk in the summer about him getting a move to Cardiff and it is obvious that he can play at a higher level.

"I think he is a very good player, he is very composed, is a great passer of the ball and is a a player who can do everything.

"For me his talent was a real eye-opener, you wonder how he is not at a higher level. I think he could playing any division.

"But you could go right through the squad and pick out any player individually, that is the talent that we now have.

"No one will want to play against us, we have a lot of quality and are a match for any side."

l Gwent's Robert Earnshaw, Paul Parry and Nathan Blake have withdrawn from the squad for Wednesday's game with Latvia through injury. Young Gwent star Anthony Byron has received an U21 call-up.