by Matt Slater
PAUL Bodin has revealed that Scott Banks is ‘keen to come aboard’ and join the squad despite interest from his homeland of Scotland.
Banks is on the books of Crystal Palace but has been loaned out to Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic to receive more game time.
He is eligible to represent Wales through his Grandmother who originates from Newport, despite spending most of his life in Scotland.
And even though the Tartan Army have registered their interest, Banks has chosen to represent Wales when given the chance.
“I have had quite a bit of dialog with him, and with his club,” Bodin said.
“He is keen to come aboard, but obviously we haven’t been in a position yet to call him up.
“I know Scotland have re-engaged with him and have offered him an olive branch.
“But it will be late February when we will make the decision.
“I know he has gone back on loan to Dunfermiline, but he is on our list for sure and we will see what develops from there. “
Bodin appreciates the level of quality that Banks possesses and has been scouting the midfielder for some time.
“Obviously, with him going up to Scotland to play first team football, and Crystal Palace paying a good sum for him, he is a quality player,” Bodin continued.
“I watched him many times in their U23’s and he is an exciting player.
“He is a wide winger who takes people on and scores and creates goals.
“We aren’t blessed with hundreds of players we can look at, so when players like Scott come along who have dual-nationality, we have to take advantage of that.”
The attacking midfielder has appeared for Scotland’s U19’s, but it is still eligible for Wales as he has not played for the senior team.
Wales are set to face the Netherlands, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Moldova and Gibraltar on the road to qualifying for the 2023 European Championships, and Banks will be hoping to cement his name on the team sheet for those fixtures.
