NEWPORT could stage Wales' Under-21 match with Finland, pinching the game from under the noses of their rivals Merthyr Tydfil, writes Peter Shuttleworth.

The European Championship qualifier on September 9 has been earmarked for Penydarren Park but FA of Wales' chiefs are thinking again after Merthyr's 'unacceptable' handling of Wales' recent semi-professional match with England.

Football Association of Wales officials were furious as the box housing the public address system, to announce the teams and play the national anthems, was locked.

An FAW spokesman said: "The general standard of the stadium for Wales' semi-pro game with England fell below the level the association requires for international football."

And a source close to the FAW says Penydarren Park's chance to stage Wales' Under-21 clash with Finland is now in jeopardy and the game could be switched - and Newport Stadium is in the frame.

The final decision will be made at July's FAW international committee meeting.

Spytty Park was unsuccessful in its attempts to lure the Welsh Under-21 game with Serbia/Montenegro on October 10 to Newport as Llanelli's Stebonheath Park won that bid.

Now Wales legend Peter Nicholas, manager at Newport County, backed Newport's bid for staging the Finland game, saying: "There is massive support for our national team in Newport.

"Welsh games have been all around the principality but Newport hasn't hosted a game for years so I think it's about time the city hosted an international match.

"Newport Stadium is a good ground and its facilities match any at this level in Wales. It will be a great boost for Newport," said the Gaer-raised 73-times capped ex-midfielder.

Newport hasn't hosted an Under-21 international since December 1983 when Wales beat Yugoslavia 1-0 at the old Somerton Park - a game in which current senior team boss Mark Hughes was sent-off.