Welsh football players. - Young guns

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.

Young guns news - Sunday 4-May-08

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Has been awarded a new contract until 2010 by Charlton in a season which saw him make the break through to senior football at The Valley. Basey will be champing at the bit to get a good pre-season behind him so he can once again push for a starting spot.

Josh Dawkins (Norwich - midfielder) Started as the reserves ended the season with a 3-1 win against MK Dons. Dawkins managed to get an assist and a goal to his name as the Canaries finished the season in style. He was joined later on in the game by fellow Wales U17 international David Stephens (Norwich - midfielder).

Wayne Hennessey (Wolves - goalkeeper) Won players player and player of the year award at Molineux on Thursday night. It has been an amazing season for the Anglesey raised keeper as he has managed to cement his place as number one for club and country. Could a spot in the Premiership be the next step for him?

Damian Hopkins (Bradford - defender) Will be released at the end of the season after learning that he would not be offered another contract. The Wales U19 international will be one of many youngsters looking for a new club over the summer. YG wishes him all the best for the future.

Keiron Howard (Swansea - midfielder) Came up trumps for the young Signets this week as they won the FAW Youth Cup with a single goal against Cardiff. The game was heading for extra time before Howard popped up with a last gap header to claim the silverware for the Swans.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) Won some silverware on Thursday night as the reserves clinched the second string title with a 2-1 win against Watford. James played the full 90 and was joined in the squad by Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) who was on the bench.

Gerwyn Jones (Tranmere - defender) + Ashton Taylor (Tranmere - defender/midfielder) Played for the reserves against Accrington Stanley this week, with Taylor starting in his preferred position and Jones getting playing time in defence. Rovers ran out 2-0 winners under the watchful eye of Brian Flynn, with Taylor grabbing a goal.

Josh Knight (WBA - striker) Started once again for the reserves as the travelled to Port Vale for their final reserve game of the season. Knight started and played 65 minutes as the Baggies drew 1-1.

Michael Pearson (Oldham - defender) Is another of the Welsh contingent at Boundary Park to be told that his services would not be required for next season. The 20 year old defender has seen the second half of the season destroyed by injuries and will look to get a good pre-season in with a new club to start the new season with a bang.

Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City - defender) + James Wilson (Bristol City - defender) Once again started for reserves this week as they finished the season with a 2-1 win against Swindon this week.

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough - defender) And his team mates didn't quite finish the season as they wished, with Boro crashing 4-1 to Blackburn on Monday night. In spite of the score line, it was Williams who finished the game as his teams player of the game.