NEWPORT County AFC goalkeeper Tom King admits he’d love to force his way into the Wales squad, but he’s adamant that his main priority is success with the Exiles in League Two.
King, a summer signing from Millwall, has conceded just four goals in eight appearances for County and kept six successive clean sheets before Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Northampton Town.
He was nominated for the League Two player of the month award for August and reports over the weekend suggested that Wales manager Ryan Giggs has sent his representatives to watch King in action at Rodney Parade.
The 24-year-old was born in Plymouth but he would qualify to play for Wales through his mum and grandmother and he’d love to earn international recognition.
“I’ve seen the stories but I don’t pay much attention to things like that,” said King, who also qualifies for Gibraltar.
“I know there are a lot of good goalies out there.
“My main goal is to perform well for Newport County, to do my job and try to keep as many clean sheets as possible and help us win as many games as possible.
“If the call comes it would be great and it’s something that I would 100 per cent welcome.
“My nan and mum were both born in Wales – they’re both from Cardiff – and I know that they would be extremely proud if I went on to represent Wales.
“But that’s not my focus and it’s not why I chose to come to Newport.
“The main reason was a desire to play games and play for a great manager.
“So far, it’s gone alright and it looks like a good decision.
“But I know I need to keep pushing and we have to keep working hard as a team to build on a good start to the season.”
King will be up against another Welsh goalkeeper at Macclesfield Town tonight as Newport-born Owen Evans, who is on loan from Wigan Athletic, is first choice for the Silkmen.
But there are few other Welsh keepers playing regularly in the Premier League or English Football League.
Euro 2016 hero Wayne Hennessey won his 85th cap in the recent 2-1 win over Azerbaijan but he has made just one appearance for Crystal Palace this season and he was at fault for the Azeris’ goal.
Leicester City stopper Danny Ward (above, right, with Hennessey) played in the 1-0 friendly win over Belarus but has yet to feature for his club this season.
And Adam Davies, who joined Stoke City from Barnsley in the summer, has yet to play for the Potters.
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