MATT Baker will miss Newport County AFC's League Two trip to Harrogate because he is going to chase history with Wales Under-21s at Rodney Parade.

The Welsh youngsters play their final qualifier against Czech Republic in Newport on Friday, October 11 (kick-off 5.30pm) when they will try to move to the top of the group.

Matty Jones’ side are currently on the same number of points as leaders Denmark, who finish off against Iceland the following Tuesday.

Wales are currently one of the best three second-placed teams in the race for a finals spot in Slovakia next summer but retaining that position could depend on other results.

Baker, who signed a permanent deal with County this summer after two spells on loan from Stoke, will link up with his international teammates after Monday’s League Two game at Bradford.

SELECTED: Newport County defender Matt Baker has been called up by Wales U21sSELECTED: Newport County defender Matt Baker has been called up by Wales U21s (Image: Lewis Mitchell/Huw Evans Agency)

The versatile defender will play in Newport next Friday and sit out the Exiles’ encounter with Harrogate at Wetherby Road.

Wales then play a friendly in Slovakia the following Tuesday and that will impact what role Baker can play in County’s home fixture against Chesterfield, which has been moved forward to Friday, October 18 to avoid a clash with the Dragons versus Benetton.

However, his loss is countered by the availability of Ciaran Brennan after a three-match suspension for a red card and co-captain James Clarke could be back in the mix after injury.

Baker was an unused substitute at Cheltenham on opening day but has been a firm fixture in the XI since, making 10 appearances and only missing the defeat to Port Vale because of Wales Under-21s duty.

He is joined in the national squad by Gwent’s Luca Hoole, who moved to Shrewsbury from Bristol Rovers this summer, and full internationals Rubin Colwill, Charlie Savage, Fin Stevens and Charlie Crew.

Wales Under-21 squad: L Benjamin (Wolves), E Watts (Swansea), F Stevens (St Pauli), A Williams (Stratford, on loan from West Brom), M Baker (Newport), L Hoole (Shrewsbury), E Turns (Brighton), Z Ashworth (Blackpool), T Davies (Cardiff), C Congreve (Bromley, on loan from Swansea), O Hampson (Sheff Utd), E King (Stevenage, on loan from Cardiff), O Hammond (Oldham), J Cotterill (Swindon, on loan from Swansea), C Savage (Reading), C Crew (Leeds), J Colwill (Cheltenham, on loan from Cardiff), R Colwill, C Ashford (both Cardiff), J Thomas (Bromley, on loan from Swansea), C Popov (Barrow, on loan from Leicester), J Farrell (Villanovense).