Josh Sheehan on Bolton Wanderers form and Wales caps

The midfielder has earned a couple of caps this season – his first appearances on the international stage since returning from a long-term knee injury.

Sheehan was also an unused substitute as Rob Page’s side overcame Croatia in Cardiff to keep their Euro qualification hopes alive.

“It’s always good to be part of it with Wales, to be in the set-up and around the squad,” he said. “It was nice to get another cap as well.

“That shows you’re playing well at your club, to be rewarded playing for your country. That was a positive and then it was a big result for us against Croatia. Going into the last two games now, it’s all in our hands.

“Croatia are a top-six team in the world but any home game, regardless of who we’re playing, we believe we can win. It shows we can beat anyone at home, especially with the crowd behind us.

“The way they sing the national anthem just gets you up for it straight away and then it’s non-stop singing throughout the game. It’s probably one of the best places to be. When things are going well for Wales, a stadium full of Welsh fans is a good place.”

Page’s side are now level on points with Croatia ahead of their final fixtures against Armenia and Turkey next month. Turkey are the current leaders, although they have played an extra game at this stage.

“There has probably been a lot of outside noise regarding the manager and the team, but the boys showed (against Croatia) that’s just on the back pages and nothing that’s going to affect the team,” Sheehan continued. “As long as they’re all together, anything is possible.

Sheehan in action for Wales (Image: PA)

“Going into this camp, we knew it was going to be tough because we needed results to go our way. Thankfully, they did and now it’s all in our hands. We don’t have to rely on anyone else, it’s all down to us.

“There is a lot to play for, (qualifying) would be a massive thing. Everyone hasn’t written Wales off, but they say we are in a rebuilding process because we are missing probably one of the best players in Gareth Bale.

“It would be a massive thing to show it’s not just a one-man or a two-man team with the big boys. It’s a very good squad with some young players and the experienced ones can help them come through.”

Sheehan has been one of the Whites’ most consistent performers since the start of the campaign and provided a couple of assists in the 4-2 victory at Wycombe on Tuesday night, including a superb pass to play in George Thomason.

The creative midfielder is eager to keep getting points on the board as Ian Evatt’s men aim to close the gap on the top two.

He knows they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas ahead of another tough away trip at Charlton this weekend.

“My first priority has always been playing well for Bolton and making sure we win by getting back to the standards we set ourselves every day,” the former Newport man explained.

“We’ve got a few big games coming up. The main focus for everyone is probably to concentrate on yourself first and make sure you perform to the best of your ability.

“If everyone does that and everyone gives an eight, nine or 10 out of 10 performance, we’ve got a good chance of winning.

“Once they’ve done that, they can start to help others who might not be having such a good game and when you have a bad game yourself, people can help you out as well.

“We’ve all got to give our all, we know how good we are as a team and individually. It’s a good squad and everyone is together as a team, so we have to show that every week.”

Sheehan, who signed a new two-year deal at Wanderers over the summer, has featured in every league game so far this season.

He was on target in the 3-2 victory against Stevenage earlier this month and also bagged a brace against Manchester United Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.