Jones the Dragon

May 16 2008

By Richard Williams - Evening Leader

Mark Jones was today a shock inclusion in Wales' squad to face Iceland and The Netherlands.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who has been released by Wrexham, joins former club-mate Steve Evans in a 35-man squad for the match against Iceland in Reykjavik on Wednesday, May 28, and the game versus The Netherlands in Rotterdam on Sunday, June 1.

And Jones, whose one full Wales cap came in the 4-0 friendly victory against Leichtenstein at The Racecourse in November 2006, said today: "I am delighted. I had a letter to say I might be involved, and I was over the moon when I was named in the squad."

"It has been a while, a few games since I was last with Wales.

"But I am not complaining and this is something to look forward to. I was not expecting it but I am glad to be involved."

Jones, who had already stated he would like a new challenge away from The Racecourse prior to being released by manager Brian Little, is effectively a free agent and has been interesting other clubs.

Nothing is set in stone and Jones is hoping to impress in Wales' two matches: "Obviously I am in the shop window and have not decided what I am doing next season," he said. "I have got nothing concrete lined up and am just waiting to see what happens.

"I will just go away with Wales and express myself. Whether it is just training or I play, I am just going to enjoy myself," said Little.

Jones was overlooked for Wrexham's run-in by Little despite recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the defeat at Grimsby on January 12 – his last competitive match.

Disappointed that Wrexham failed to win their relegation battle, Jones said his Wales call-up is the perfect tonic: "It was a disappointing end to the season, not just for me but for everyone connected with Wrexham," he added.

"I don't think I have played a proper match for a while. But being picked for Wales is a nice way for me to end the season."

Welsh assistant manager, Dean Saunders, who announced the squad in Ewloe yesterday, said: "Mark and Steve have never let us down, and I think Mark has got a chance of going on. I think Mark is a good player and I was disappointed for him when Wrexham went down. He's had a lot of injuries, so this call-up should hopefully give him a lift.

"Mark should go on and do a lot better, but it is hard to play for the international team if you're not playing league football.

"We desperately need Wrexham back in the Football League. I hope they bounce back because they have good people at the club. The people who own the club are good people, but it's crept up on them.

"I was desperately disappointed to see Wrexham relegated.

"I think anyone that is Welsh and that has any interest in anything that Wales do didn't want to see Wrexham go out of the league and want to see Cardiff City win the FA Cup."