NEW Wales manager Craig Bellamy says he’s “over the moon” to have been able to name former Newport County AFC goalkeeper Karl Darlow in his first squad, writes Andrew Penman.

The Leeds United stopper, the grandson of Wales 1958 World Cup squad-member Ken Leek, was a fan favourite at Spytty Park during an impressive loan spell with County as a 21-year-old in 2012.

Now 33, Darlow will join the Wales squad for the first time for next month’s Nations League ties against Turkey and Montenegro having previously turned down potential call-ups in 2013 and 2018.

“I didn’t persuade him,” said Bellamy, who revealed that the keeper is determined to help the squad qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“I was aware that he could play for Wales. I don’t know went on with previous managers and the conversations he’s had, but I had the opportunity to talk to him and he was really keen.

“I actually posed the question to him: ‘usually at your age, players are looking to pull away from international football and concentrate on their families and club football,’ but he was the reverse.

“He felt he needed to do this for him. He had an aim of going to a World Cup – America, Mexico, Canada – he wants that.”

Bellamy also feels that the former Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United man will bring some much-needed extra experience to a young squad.

“He was under illusions that he was going to start – he knows he’s going to have to compete for his place, like everyone else,” said the national boss.

“But his leadership roles, his experience – he really wanted to lend a hand with that. So, I’ve got to be honest, I was over the moon after talking to him.

“He’ll be a big asset, especially with his experience and leadership with such a young group. He’ll be a good benefit to the squad.”

Bellamy also said “he didn’t see any reason” to take the captaincy away from Cardiff City’s Aaron Ramsey “for the time being,” while stressing again that he wants numerous leaders in his squad.

“I understand the role of captaincies, I was captain for Wales through all of the age groups and into the senior team,” he added.

“I do understand it, but I like a leadership group, I like a number of captains, I like a group.

“I like a lot of senior players who have a lot of input and I like to be able to communicate with them as well, tactically but also how I want a squad to look and how I want them to behave and they play a big role in that it is theirs.

“Also, what I’d ask for them to do on the pitch, I’d like their input with that. We have a certain level of non-negotiables, I certainly do, but I do like feedback.

“I know Aaron might be the captain, but I see a number of captains, if I’m being honest.”