Wales' Darlow eyes World Cup after 'special moment'

Karl Darlow believes he tin emulate his grandfather by going to a World Cup having followed his lead by representing Wales.

The goalkeeper made his world front successful Monday’s Nations League triumph successful Montenegro, immoderate 11 years aft Wales first tried to prime him.

The English-born Leeds United subordinate turned down nan chance to play for Wales successful 2013 and 2018.

But having accepted nan connection of a call-up from Craig Bellamy, Darlow is intent connected making an belief successful nan Wales shirt.

The 33-year-old – Wales’ oldest post-war debutant – is nan grandson of Ken Leek, who was portion of nan Wales squad astatine nan 1958 World Cup.

“I astir apt thought this doorway was closed – I americium delighted that he (Bellamy) wanted maine here,” Darlow said.

“We collided together astatine nan correct clip and we've sewage definite akin ambitions.

“There's a World Cup I'd beryllium hopeless to beryllium portion of and if I tin thief successful that journey, that's thing I tin look backmost connected and beryllium proud of.”

Darlow says his family are “beyond proud” astir his Wales involvement.

His parents and grandma Janet – nan widow of Leek, who died successful 2007 – were astatine Cardiff City Stadium for past Friday’s goalless tie pinch Turkey.

“It's a typical infinitesimal for them,” Darlow said. “My nan was made up to beryllium backmost successful Cardiff and enjoyed nan game.

“I cognize everything astir my grandad's profession and it's thing for nan family and myself to beryllium proud of. I dream I did nan state proud wearing that garment and will do successful nan future.”

Leek, a forward, did not play astatine nan 1958 World Cup, but went connected to triumph 13 caps successful nan 1960s, scoring 5 goals.

He played nine shot for nan likes of Northampton Town – wherever Darlow was calved – Leicester City, Newcastle United, Birmingham City and Bradford City.

Darlow has besides played for Newcastle, arsenic good arsenic Nottingham Forest, Newport County, Walsall, Hull City and Leeds, who he joined successful 2023.

He says a desire to play regularly astatine nine level influenced his determination to move down Wales, earlier Bellamy came calling having been appointed caput coach successful July.

“At different times successful my profession I've had astir apt different commitments successful position of getting to play games,” Darlow said.

“There person been definite points successful my profession erstwhile I didn't consciousness it was correct for maine to come. I consciousness now I'm truthful motivated and wished to thief this Welsh squad suffice for nan World Cup.

“I had a awesome Zoom gathering pinch nan manager. Everything he said ticked each my boxes and he was pleased pinch really I came crossed arsenic well. It's a caller era and nan main extremity for maine and nan squad is to get to nan World Cup.”

Having sat connected nan chair successful nan Nations League opener against Turkey, Darlow was picked up of Danny Ward successful Montenegro arsenic Bellamy made 5 changes to his starting side.

Wales built connected their encouraging capacity against nan Turks by securing a first triumph of nan Bellamy era successful rain-soaked Niksic.

Darlow played his portion successful a confidence-building success, making immoderate important saves arsenic Wales held connected to triumph 2-1 aft goals wrong nan first 3 minutes from Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson.

“I was truthful proud to beryllium retired location wearing nan garment and to person a triumph connected nan backmost of it,” Darlow said.

“We've travel retired pinch 4 points from nan 2 games and it astir apt should person been six successful nan measurement we played against Turkey.

“It conscionable goes to show nan activity him (Bellamy) and his unit person put successful already and nan measurement nan lads person bought into nan measurement he wants to play. Hopefully it's a agleam early for us.”

The Montenegro crippled was conscionable a 2nd this play for Darlow, who is understudy to Illan Meslier astatine Leeds.

Darlow played 4 times past term, pinch his past tally of regular shot coming during a indebtedness spell astatine Hull City successful 2023.

“I want to play more, of course,” Darlow added.

“But I had assurance going into nan crippled knowing I was ready. Martyn Margetson (Wales’ goalkeeping coach) touched connected everything I needed and location was nary doubts successful my mind I could spell retired location and put connected a bully performance.”