BEN DAVIES wants Brennan Johnson to show his red-hot Spurs form for Wales.
Johnson, 23, has eight goals in his last 14 games for club and country, including a stunning run of six in a row for Tottenham.
AlamyBen Davies will captain Wales in their Nations League clash with Turkey on Saturday[/caption]
Davies attended a McDonald’s Fun Football session at Cheshunt FC
The forward has netted just four times in 31 caps at international level.
But defender Davies reckons his Spurs pal is ready to transfer his dazzling club displays to the Dragons.
Wales take on Turkey in the Nations League today and Davies, 31,
said: “When you come into the team at international level it does take a bit of time to get going.
“You make a few substitute appearances at the start but now Brennan’s got a pretty settled position in the team.
“We know how dangerous he can be and if we want to be successful,
he’s definitely going to be a big part of that.
“He’s blessed with pace and that’s a nightmare for defenders — he’s a proper difficult opponent.
“I’d much prefer to have him on my team.
“He’s a player that the moment you switch off, he can take advantage because he’s so disciplined in his positioning and timing.”
Davies added: “It was a matter of time before it all clicked.
“He creates chances and always looks threatening. He works hard, he’s a great guy and he deserves his success. I’m absolutely delighted for him.
“If he keeps putting the ball in the back of the net, then that’s all we can ask for.”
With Kieffer Moore out with a calf injury, Johnson will spearhead Craig Bellamy’s attack for the Group B4 tie.
Defender Davies is set for his 91st Wales cap when he leads out his country in Turkey today — one behind legendary keeper Neville Southall.
But he has never forgotten his Swansea roots.
Davies says life has not always been glitz and glamour after he recalled how he used to train on local parks and beaches when he was in the Swans’ academy.
The Tottenham defender, with nearly 300 Prem appearances, was one of SEVEN past and present Swansea stars who played in the 1-0 Nations League win over Montenegro last month.
He was joined by Ben Cabango, Joe Rodon, Josh Sheehan and Liam Cullen in the starting line-up, while Ollie Cooper and Joe Allen came on as substitutes.
That impressive figure is up to NINE in Craig Bellamy’s squad for the crunch trip to Kayseri, with the additions of Connor Roberts, Rhys Norrington-Davies and fit-again Dan James.
It would be TEN but for midfielder Cooper’s foot injury.
Davies, who has lived in London for a decade, says the strength of feeling for where it all started is highlighted by the fact his son Ralph has a Swansea kit.
The Neath-born ace said: “It’s important not to forget your roots and remember where you are from.
“Most of us came through that academy and it wasn’t like the one they have today or a lot of the clubs in England.
“We were training a couple of times a week in the evening, anywhere we could get a pitch.
“We were on Astroturf pitches, in local parks or even down the beach some days.
“It wasn’t the luxury that some of the academy facilities are now.
“But it was an amazing time. We had some great coaches who gave us every opportunity.
“The club has done pretty well and managed to make some sales because of the quality of the boys out of the academy.
“And you are also seeing those boys still there are now the heart of the Swansea team.
“The guys have done an incredible job. It’s a proud place to come out of.”
Davies, who attended a McDonald’s Fun Football session in Cheshunt near Spurs’ training ground, will skipper Wales in the absence of the injured Aaron Ramsey.
He will go level with Southall — fourth in Wales’ all-time appearance list — when Iceland visit Cardiff on Tuesday night.
Davies is well short of Gareth Bale’s 111-cap record but he reckons another Dragons star will smash all before him.
He added: “I’m proud about my number of caps. Playing for Wales is a big honour.
“When I started as a 19-year-old, it would have been an absolute dream to get this many.
“I’m definitely looking at 100 but I still have the perspective of how good it is to have as many as I have already.
“It’s nice to see the core of us that have been the mainstays of the team for the last eight to ten years.
“When you get close to these milestones we will look back and say it was a good time for Welsh football.
“Injuries permitting, I want to play for Wales as much as I can. That’s my mentality. I love playing for my country.”
On beating Bale’s record, he added: “We will see where we get to. But you can’t dwell on things like that.
“Even if I do get there then Ethan Ampadu is coming at 24 with 54 caps and he will demolish us all!”
Wales are unbeaten in four matches under new boss Bellamy.
Victories today and against Iceland will seal promotion to League A.
Davies added: “It’s been a successful campaign so far. We’re going into the games looking to try and win the group — that has to be the aim.”
l Ben Davies was celebrating the latest McDonald’s Fun Football
sessions this autumn, available to all children aged 5-11. Sign up
now for your nearest free session at mcdonalds.co.uk/football
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