GUNTER TO BE DEFENSIVE ROCK

Gunter - praised by Flynn.

Wales want Tottenham teenager Chris Gunter to be their defensive rock of the future.

The 18-year-old Spurs youngster has played at left and right-back for Wales' senior side as well as for the north London side in the Premier League.

But on Thursday night he was used as a central defender for Wales Under-21s in their 2-0 friendly defeat by England at Wrexham.

And Cardiff-born Gunter was the outstanding Wales player on show with an outstanding display against the likes of Theo Walcott and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

England scored two first-half goals through a Tom Huddlestone penalty and Walcott's deflected drive but boss Brian Flynn was delighted with Gunter in his new role at this level.

He said: "Long-term we see Chris as a centre-half. Short-term he will be a left or right-back, but since he was 17 his progress as far as I'm concerned has been as a centre-half in my eyes.

"He will play full-back for a while probably for club and country, but as he grows up and develops he will become our centre-half.

"Obviously (national manager) John Toshack will use him as a full-back for now, but he has all the skills to become a great centre-back."

And now Flynn wants to see more of his charges progress into the top flight. He said: "We need our players to get into the Premier League. A few have already managed it and we now need them to move at the right time if the chance comes along.

"That is the key to the next two years, they have to be playing first-team football at the highest level possible. I hope they attract attention from Premier League clubs, without a doubt."

Flynn now believes his squad is closing the "great divide" between themselves and top European sides like England.

Flynn has overseen a huge improvement in Wales' standard at this level during his three years in control, and they stand one win away from qualification for the UEFA championship play-offs.

Flynn recalls the last time he pitted his squad against England, in August 2005 when Wales were outclassed 4-0 in what was his first game in charge.

Now he says: "Last time we played England was three years ago, also at Wrexham, on my first match in control and we lost 4-0.

"They were very good that night and were worthy winners. Then there was a huge divide between the sides, there isn't now.

"Quite a few of my Wales players could get into that England squad. They would not look out of place."

Wales were punished for poor defending against England and conceded two goals in seven minutes.

Wales had otherwise dominated the first period, and Flynn said: "From our point of view, results don't matter, that's what I always say at this level.

"The most important thing was the performance, especially on a big stage against some quality players and in front of the national team manager, John Toshack.

"They will have influenced him with their performance. The big picture for us is South Africa 2010, and a few of them have re-established themselves in John's thoughts while a few even surprised him.

"We are going in the right direction to progress the way we want. But in saying that, we made two mistakes and we were 2-0 down."