Friendly is Taylor-made for Neil

09 August 2011 09:30

Many players will bemoan the timing of the latest round of internationals but full-back Neil Taylor is desperate to feature for Wales against Australia on Wednesday night.

The Swansea defender is more eager than most to get some game time under his belt as he is set to miss the Premier League new boys' opening trip to Manchester City on Monday through suspension.

Taylor said: "I am dying for a game, I have had some good pre-season games and I think that facing Australia will be a good test and it's a game we need with (Euro 2012) qualifiers coming up."

Taylor, who was a target for Newcastle before agreeing a new four-year deal at the Liberty Stadium this summer, added: "It hasn't been an easy summer and the suspension has made it longer, missing the first game is one of the worst suspensions I've ever heard of."

Wales manager Gary Speed has struggled to put his best 11 on the field since taking charge in December due to a high number of withdrawals from his original squad selections, but only Sam Vokes, Andrew Crofts and James Collins have pulled out ahead of the clash with the Socceroos.

Taylor believes that is a sign of increased competition for places in the camp as Wales cast their eyes forward to their remaining Euro 2012 qualifiers and the start of their bid to reach the 2014 World Cup.

He said: "There are some big qualifiers coming up in terms of our progression towards the World Cup, every player is fighting for a place and there is really good competition for places all round the field and that is why everyone is here.

"The Wales squad has grown in terms of how many Premier League players we have and guys like Adam Matthews and Joe Ledley are playing for a great club in Celtic.

"It needs to continue to grow and we are slowly progressing with more players playing at the higher level and it can only be good for Wales."

Source: PA