Wolves midfielder Lee Evans handed first Wales call-up

The midfielder is in a 23-man squad that will travel to Serbia for a crucial World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Newport-born Evans has just taken part in a 26-man training camp in Portugal ahead of the qualifier. That was his first senior involvement with Wales – after previously earning 13 caps for Wales Under-21s – and he could now win his first ever cap after being named in Sunday's squad.

Fellow Wolves man David Edwards is also in the squad, as are former Molineux goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and ex-striker Sam Vokes.

Boss Chris Coleman recently said he believes Evans, who penned a three-and-a-half year contract with Wolves in February, has matured as a player and that he could become a regular in the Wales squad.

Coleman has named five uncapped players for the Serbia clash. He said last week of Evans: "He’s matured well. Obviously he was with our under-21s and he’s done well with Wolves.

"He's had some game-time there and, with the absence of Andy King, one door closes and another door opens.

"He's played first team football and he’s playing with and against international footballers in the Championship.

"He's one of those players that in the coming years he’s capable of stepping up, that’s for sure. Wolves is a big club and he’ll be used to playing at Molineux, where there’s a big expectation.

"That’s good for him that he’s been able to cope with that recently. I think he’s matured a lot and that’s got him a call-up."

Wales are third in Group D with five games to go. They sit four points behind both leaders Serbia and second-place Republic of Ireland.

After the Serbia clash Wales will host Austria and travel to Moldova in September, before facing Georgia away and Ireland at home in October.

Only the top team will automatically qualify for Russia 2018, with the runners-up going into a play-off.