Aynsley McDonald given Welsh Under 17 Call Up

For UEFA Under 17 Championship Qualifying Tournament

Rushden & Diamonds Youth player Aynsley McDonald has today been called up to the Welsh Under 17 squad for the UEFA Under 17 Championship Qualifying Tournament in Portugal.

The UEFA Under 17 Championship takes place in Germany in 2009, with Wales placed in 'Qualifying Group 4' along with Portugal, The Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan. The qualifying games will all be played as a mini tournament at stadiums in Portugal.

There are 13 groups in the qualifying round, with the top two teams in each group, along with the two best third placed teams going forward to the Elite Round - which will take place in Spring 2009. The seven winners of their Elite Round groups will then take part in the finals along with hosts Germany in May 2009.

The Welsh squad fly out to Portugal on Saturday 13^th September, and will play fixtures against:

The Faroe Islands - Monday 15^th September - Complexo Desportivo, FC Fao

Kazakhstan - Wednesday 17^th September- Complexo Desportivo, FC Fao

Portugal - Saturday 20^th September - Estadio Cicade, Barcelos

Paul Driver, Head of Youth at Rushden & Diamonds said:

"When Aynsley came back from the Welsh training camp in August he was full of confidence and said he believed he had taken his impressive club form into his international game for the warm up fixture against Everton. His call up to the squad to take part in the UEFA Under 17s Championship Qualifying Tournament proves he was right.

Aynsley has had a really good week this week, scoring a 35 yard screamer against Northampton Town on Saturday and getting an International call-up today, well done to him and long may it continue!"

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under17/index.html Has lots more information about the tournament