Manchester United rookie Daniel Nardiello has become a target for Wales coach Mark Hughes.

The 20-year-old striker is the latest youngster to roll off the Old Trafford production line and has been handed two first-team appearances by manager Sir Alex Ferguson this season, including his Champions League debut against Maccabi Haifa.

Although he still needs to put some muscle on before he can challenge the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Nardiello is a proven goalscorer at both under-19 and reserve level.

And his talents have not gone unnoticed by former Red Devils hero Hughes, who is hoping to persuade the Coventry-born youngster to follow his father Donato's lead and wear the red shirt of Wales.

"I've already been asked by Wales to go and play for them," said Nardiello, whose dad won two international caps in the early 1980s.

"I've spoken to Mark Hughes about the under-21s and he has told me to go away and think about it."

Astute United judges believe Nardiello has a chance of making the grade, providing he fills out in the way defender John O'Shea did during the summer.

But Nardiello admits the competition for places is somewhat daunting.

"It's hard, but it's also a great help," he said.

"Ruud's all-round finishing is fantastic. Ole always seems to hit the ball early and I've played with Diego Forlan a few times and his touch and awareness are second to none.

"Having them around gives you something to aim for and aspire to; you want to be as good as them and hopefully get better playing alongside them."

And even if a regular place in the Premiership is still some way off, there is always the prospect of facing some of the world's top defenders in training to excite Nardiello's young mind.

l Wales right-back Mark Delaney has his sights set returning to action in Aston Villa's home Premiership match against Tottenham on Saturday.

Delaney broke his foot playing for Wales in Azerbaijan two months ago.