Ben Woodburn: Wales boss Chris Coleman is confident Liverpool starlet will choose to play for Dragons… but will not rush him into senior squad
Seventeen-year-old is at heart of international tug-of-war with England after becoming Reds' youngest-ever scorer
CHRIS COLEMAN maintains he will exert caution over handing a Wales debut to Liverpool whizkid Ben Woodburn.
Dragons fans are keen for the Kop’s youngest goalscorer, 17, to be capped at senior level ASAP — if only to end any chance of him switching allegiance to arch-rivals England.
Coleman made fellow Anfield prodigy Harry Wilson, now 19, the youngest player in Wales’ history against Belgium in 2013.
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The next game is a World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on March 24, though it may come too soon for Woodburn who qualifies via a grandparent.
But Wales boss Coleman said: “We will be careful. Harry came in when the squad was decimated to give him a taste of things.
“To be honest, I think he struggled a bit afterwards, but it’s good to see he’s now back on track.
“You have to balance between protecting them and pushing them on, but we’re delighted with the progress Ben is making.
“Jurgen Klopp has been first class with him and what he’s said about him. Though he’s right in saying he can’t ignore him if he continues to progress as he is.
“It will be the same with us — not that we’ve ignored him. He’s been on our radar for some time, we’ve seen him develop.
“He’s looked very good, shown a lot of quality and I’m sure he will keep up the hard work that’s got him to this stage.”
Despite interest from England, Coleman is confident Woodburn will continue to represent Wales.