Two stars who played for Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth Cup Final have been called up by Wales Under-18s for a friendly tournament.
Ben Hammond and Justin Hanks both played in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this month.
Now, the duo will head off to feature for the young Wales outfit during a summer tournament.
Hammond and Hanks could line up in games against Croatia, England and Austria with the competition kicking off on the 6th June.
Both players have been integral to Warren Joyce’s team this season.
Hammond typically operates at right-back or at the heart of the back four; Hanks played as a holding midfielder during the FA Youth Cup Final defeat.
Forest finished their maiden campaign in the Under-18 Premier League in fourth place and that was down to a blistering second half of the season.
The Reds were beaten 1-0 by Derby in February but didn’t lose again all season; a run stretching 15 fixtures.
Forest did lose the FA Youth Cup Final during that run but they were unfortunate in that game.
The Reds were well on top at 1-1 when referee Josh Smith gave United a penalty when the infringement clearly took place outside of the box.
That decision knocked Forest for six and eventually they went down 3-1 to the Red Devils.
Hammond and Hanks were both decent in that contest and they will hope to continue learning their trade at the City Ground.
Hammond and Hanks in Wales Under-18 squad and their Forest futures look bright
It was clear when Forest played in the FA Youth Cup Final that Steve Cooper is rubbing off on every aspect of the club.
The young Reds played on the front foot and took the game to United.
In the case of Hammond, he lined up as part of a three-man defence and he coped particularly well with the threat of United.
Hanks is perhaps one player who is still sussing out where he is best served on the pitch.
He has played as a centre-back and in midfield this season, with his versatility shining through in the early stages of his career.
International football will do the youngsters no harm at all.
Hammond and Hanks will take massive confidence from the call-ups and they should return to Forest in good shape.