WALES Under-21s head coach Matty Jones hopes the Red Wall will help his side make a big finish to their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign at a packed Rodney Parade.

The Welsh young guns will go to the top of Group I and put the pressure on Denmark if they avoid defeat against the Czech Republic in Newport on Friday, October 11 (kick-off 5.30pm).

The Danes would then have to respond by matching or bettering that result against Iceland the following Tuesday.

As things stand, Wales will automatically qualify for the finals in Slovakia as one of the three best group runners-up but retaining that position could depend on other results.

At the very worst, second place would earn a spot in the November play-offs for the last three places in the finals. The Czechs are six points behind the top two with Iceland five back.

Wales' Lewis Koumas celebrates scoring at Rodney ParadeWales' Lewis Koumas celebrates scoring at Rodney Parade (Image: David Davies)

“We need the support from everyone,” said Jones after Tuesday’s crucial 2-1 win over Iceland. “I think we’ve done incredibly well over the course of the campaign in terms of smashing records with attendances.

“Hopefully now this will create some excitement around our group, people will be aware of the great things that these boys are doing and that support will bring us even more success. We are set up for a special finish to what has already been a wonderful campaign.”

Joel Cotterill was the two-goal hero for Wales against Iceland and he appeared to thrive in his attacking role and his place in the overall game plan.

“A lot of my management from the sideline was about composing ‘Cotts’ because of the chances that he missed earlier,” Jones said about the Swansea prospect, who is on loan at Swindon in League Two.

“He could have scored four goals for us but we always knew that opportunities would come and his ability and quality in front of goal is exceptional.

“He was disappointed with himself that he didn’t capitalise earlier, but the goals he did score just prove his technical ability.”

Newport County AFC centre-back Matt Baker played the full 90 minutes in Iceland and Jones pointed to the value of EFL action for the young prospects.

“Every one of our starters against Iceland has been having that experience in league football and that’s been the difference for us,” he said. “We’re managing senior players now, not boys. We’re managing men.”