TOSHACK HAILS THE RISE OF RICKETTS

Ricketts - praised by Toshack.

It has taken Sam Ricketts little more than four years to complete his transformation from an out-of-work non-league player to a Premier League star.

And on Saturday, a delighted Wales boss John Toshack will give Ricketts, a player he has championed despite sometimes scathing criticism, a 28th international cap when his side face Holland in Rotterdam.

Just a week ago, Ricketts was cavorting around Wembley having helped guide Hull into the top flight for the first time.

And even Toshack admits the thought he would never be able to use the words: 'Sam Ricketts, Premier League footballer.'

Toshack said: "I am so pleased for Sam, he is a super professional. We all have limitations in our game, even the best players.

"But four years ago he was at Telford and they went bust. He was out of work.

"But he has come into international football and constantly improved.

"He has had good games, steady games and bad games. But you can never doubt his application. He has played 27 games now for his country and never let anyone down.

"He went to Swansea and then got his move to Hull, and here he is now looking forward to playing in the Premier League next season.

"I must admit that four years ago I did not believe that I could say something like that, but I am delighted I am able to."

Toshack added: "With Sam, you can always rely on him. You can always look at someone and know they can improve, the same applies to (Chris) Gunter and (Gareth) Bale, two youngsters.

"But Sam will never let you down. Whatever squad we have, whatever team I choose, I know that Sam will not let me down.

"He can play left or right-back, he can play in a back five or a 4-4-2, he can handle it.

"He understands the aspects of his game that need improving. But he will ask for advice and he will listen."

Ricketts met up with his Wales team-mates, arriving in Rotterdam just ahead of the rest of the squad who had flown from Reykjavik.

And he cannot wait to end his dramatic season on a good note at the Feyenoord stadium. He said: "Playing against the Dutch will for me be a taste of what is to come for us next season.

"They have got a lot of Premier League players and the ones who are not in England are certainly of that level of quality, so it will be very interesting for me.

"It is a massive challenge and a big test for me personally, but, more importantly, a big test for us as a team.

"Holland are a great team and it will be hard for us, but we have shown we can go to places like Germany against some of the best players in the world and do ourselves justice. And that is what we have to aim to do here.

"As for me, I am not going around calling myself a Premier League player just yet. I have not earned that right yet because playing in the Premier week-in, week-out is what it is all about.

"It has only been in the last day or so it has started to sink in what we have actually achieved."

Ricketts will be joined in the Wales squad tomorrow by club-mate Boaz Myhill, whose goalkeeping skills have been an added bonus for Toshack.

The former Aston Villa youngster only committed himself to Wales this year, and qualifies through his grandfather.

And now Wales have got a Premier League keeper on their hands to compete with Wayne Hennessey, who himself could be on his way from Wolves with Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Villa and Everton showing interest.

Toshack is equally pleased with Myhill's transition and said: "He has shown himself to be a very good goalkeeper and his form has helped Hull get into the top flight, and he has given me a real option now for the goalkeeper's jersey.

"I just want to see these young lads push on even more. I am not sure how long it will be, but I honestly believe we will see the benefits and start to qualify for finals."