AN ALBION defender has been called up to the Wales Under-21 squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

Ed Turns made his debut for Brighton and Hove Albion in September’s Carabao Cup victory over Swansea.

The 19-year-old has also been a non-playing substitute in the Premier League.

Announcing the Wales Under-21 squad ahead of the 2023 Euro qualifying double header against Switzerland and Bulgaria, manager Paul Bodin said: “Ed has done really well at Brighton and is part of their first-team squad on occasion.

“He’s highly thought of at Brighton and, to be around the first team at a Premier League club and train with those players, he deserves an opportunity.”

The Argus: Ed Turns (left) and Marc Leonard Ed Turns (left) and Marc Leonard

Turns, a Brighton academy graduate, qualifies through his Welsh-born mother.

Bodin added: “He’s been on our radar for a quite a while, but he’s really progressed this year.

“He’s keen to offer his services to what we do. He’s seen the opportunity to progress quite quickly.

“But it’s all about what you do at your club, especially a Premier League club.”

Turns is joined in the Wales Under-21 squad by fellow defender Oliver Denham, who this week signed a new two-year contract at Cardiff.

Denham, 19, has made two cup appearances for Cardiff, with his first start coming in an fourth-round FA Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield last month.

Skipper Brandon Cooper (ligament damage) and Billy Sass-Davies (calf) are ruled out of the trip to group leaders Switzerland on March 25 and the home game with Bulgaria in Newport four days later.

Wales are currently fourth in Group E with six points from seven games.

Full squad: N Shepperd (Dundalk), L Webb (Shelbourne, on loan from Swansea), G Ratcliffe (Cardiff), F Stevens (Brentford), O Denham (Cardiff), M Boyes (Livingston), R Astley (Everton), E Jones (Altrincham, on loan from Stoke), O Beck (Liverpool), J Adams (Dundalk), T Taylor (Burton), S Bowen (Cardiff), D Williams (Dundalk, on loan from Swansea), R Hughes (Everton), J Vale (Blackburn), I Davies (Cardiff), L Jephcott (Plymouth), S Pearson (Inverness, on loan from Bristol City), E King (Cardiff), E Turns (Brighton).