Evans relishing new lease of life

11 August 2009 15:29
The Rhyl-born forward, who had progressed through the Eastlands club's youth academy, found his way to regular first-team football constantly blocked by big-spending City's accumulation of expensive new strikers. That lack of game time cost Evans his place in the senior Wales side - currently in Montenegro for a friendly - and meant that the 21 year-old was instead named in the Under-21 side for Wednesday night's clash with Hungary at Wrexham (kick-off 7.30pm). Evans was sold to Sheffield United in the summer and made his debut as a late substitute in Friday's 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough. Now he will be looking for the chance to rebuild his international career with Brian Flynn's youngsters, starting at the Racecourse ground. Evans said: "There are still things to be proved, it was frustrating at Manchester City. "You were so hyped up to play and couldn't get on. I couldn't handle it any more and had to get out." Evans could have stuck around at City and basked in the glory of being a bit-part player in a vast squad, but he said: "Not in any way (would I do that). That would go against everything you work towards as a footballer. "I was just desperate to play and that's not changed. Sheffield United are giving me that chance and I want to them get back to where they should be, which is the Premier League." Evans said: "City are a great club and there is no doubt they are going places, but you also have to say it has completely changed there. "A few years ago it was about bringing through their youngsters and taking pride in watching them develop. There are not going to be many teenagers coming through any more." Evans, who has scored nine goals in nine under-21 games, will be looking to add to that tally against the Hungarians. Wales' youngster are so far unbeaten in their group having drawn away to Luxembourg in March, and won the return at Llanelli 5-1. Flynn has lost two players from his squad. Swansea midfielder Allen is out with a hamstring injury, and Chelsea have withdrawn goalkeeper Rhys Taylor. Flynn has called-up Swansea's David Cornell, the under-17s keeper, as well as Cardiff defender Adam Matthews, who has won under-19 caps.

Source: Team_Talk