WREXHAM boss Denis Smith yesterday stuck his neck out to predict that youngster Craig Morgan can make it to the very top of the game.

His comments came 24 hours after the 18-year-old central defender was named in the Wales under-21 squad for the Uefa Championship match against Serbia-Montenegro in Novi Sad on August 19.

And the Dragons boss said the only surprise was that St Asaph-born Morgan had not been included in any of U21 coach Jimmy Shoulder's previous squads, alongside Racecourse team-mates, goalkeeper Paul Whitfield, and defender Shaun Pejic.

Smith, no mean centre-half during his own playing career, who gave the youngster his first taste of Football League in April last year, said: "I would not have put Morgs in the first team at the age of 16 if I hadn't thought he has got what it takes. I've got a lot of time for the lad, even though he sometimes thinks I get on his back."

Morgan, who has come through the Racecourse youth system, joined the professional ranks this summer and has already staked his claim for a regular spot in Smith's line-up when the season gets under way on Saturday.

But the Racecourse boss said the youngster still has a lot to learn if he is to fulfil his potential.

"Craig has always had the talent to be a footballer and now he's learning how to become a professional player," he added.

"There are a lot of extremely talented players who don't make it in the game and Craig has to realise that.

"I suspect football has always come easy to him and it's possible he thinks he doesn't have to work hard, but even the best have to work at their game constantly. Craig is now starting to do that."

Smith will also be championing the international cause of 19-year-old midfielder Matt Crowell, who along with Racecourse teenager Mark Jones is on stand-by for the Serbia trip.

"I think Matty should have been in the squad anyway, and Mark too," he said. "But with their attitude to the game, I'm sure it won't be long before they are also regulars in the U21 side."

The Racecourse boss said he would be delighted to see a number of his players go on to win full Wales caps. "When we start to see them being picked for the full squad, I'll be more than happy," he added.

"The more those lads are pushing for places in a Mark Hughes' team, the better it will be for their careers and the better it will be for us as a club."

Roberts, currently recovering from summer surgery, is hoping to feature in a full-length practice match over the next few days but he is the only member of Smith's squad definitely ruled out of Saturday's Second Division opener against Chesterfield at the Racecourse.

"There is a totally different atmosphere during training compared to last week," said Smith. "They can smell the new season so we are having to rein them back a bit."