WANDERERS starlet Jamie Thomas has been called up to the Wales Under-19s squad for their friendly double header against Montenegro next month.

The Blackpool-born 17-year-old striker has impressed in the Whites youth ranks, and was tipped to break through into the development squad by youth boss David Lee last season.

“Jamie has got 17 goals this season and is a natural goalscorer,” he told The Bolton News.

“He has lots of potential and I have high hopes he can progress because it’s a case of ‘once a goalscorer, always a goalscorer’ for me at any level.

“He has been with us since the Under-14s after being at Blackpool and he has definitely been a plus point this season.”

Dougie Freedman wants more of the club’s youngsters being pushed for international honours.

Chris Lester broke into the Northern Ireland set-up last season, while Georg Iliev has also been involved in the Bulgaria youth set-up.

“If you can get these players involved internationally from under-16s and through the system, there is a little standard there,” he said.

“They understand how you are meant to act when you go away with your country and it certainly makes it a little easier when you bring them into a first-team environment.”