WALES football legend Peter Nicholas thinks that 22-year-old man-of-the-moment, Bedwas-based Robert Earnshaw is not quite ready for the Premiership despite his triple-somersaulting hat-trick show against Scotland and 22 goals for Cardiff this season.

Nicholas, who amassed 73 caps for Wales, said: "I don't think he is Premiership class just yet. There is still more to learn. But he is a young lad and will go on to great things. He has got amazing pace and touch and he's also a great finisher.

Nicholas added: "There were a lot of managers from the Premiership at the game, including Everton and Leeds, and they will have been having a look at him and Danny Gabbidon.

"Earnshaw was outstanding. He terrorised the Scotland defence and they couldn't cope with him. He was sharp and lively and his finishing was excellent. Gabbidon was excellent as well, he strolled through the match and always kept his cool."

The Newport County boss was more than impressed with Mark Hughes' patchwork side against the sorry Scots and believes that Wales could be challenging for a World Cup place.

He said: "There is nothing to fear. The team has some great experience in Gary Speed, Robbie Savage and, of course, Ryan Giggs. And a lot of the younger players like Earnshaw and Paul Parry have come in and didn't look out of place."

The 23-year-old left winger Parry came in for special mention, after his amazing rise from non-League footballer at Hereford to Millennium Stadium internationalist in just six weeks.

Nicholas added: "He came in and kept it simple and looked comfortable. It has been an amazing rise for him and there must have be some Premiership managers thinking about him already.

"He's starting to look like the bargain of the year. If he can keep a level head, and I am sure Lennie Lawrence will make sure of that, he can go to the very top."

Nicholas said that the exercise was worthwhile for Hughes' men and the result and performance has got Wales back on track after a dismal 11 months.

He said: "There were so many players missing it was great to see such a good performance. With Hartson and Bellamy coming back, along with Earnshaw, and with Giggs supplying, the front-line is comparable with anyone. Those three plus, a tight midfield three, with Speed, Savage and Davies and the back four looking secure with Gabbidon and Andrew Melville in form, it is all looking very good for us at the moment."