Ledley hoping for Wales start in Czech Republic

Last updated : 30 August 2006 By Michael Morris
Ledley celebrates as he helps City to the top of the Chamopionship
Joe Ledley's cracking start to the season could see him getting a starting place for John Toshack this wekend.

Wales open their Euro 2008 campaign in Teplice against the Czech Republic.

"It is my ambition to get into the starting XI for Wales, of course it is. It would be a dream really. I think every player would like to be in that situation for their country," Ledley told the Western Mail.

"I would love to start on Saturday, but I'll just have to see what happens.

"I'm just getting on with things at the moment. You can only play well for your club and hope you catch John Toshack's eye. If I start great, if I don't hopefully I will get the chance to come on from the bench and help the side as well as I can.

"To be honest I think I can still get better for Cardiff and Wales. I want to improve and I will I think.

"I'm only 19 now so there's time. As I get more performances and more goals inside me, it will help.

"I don't want to get carried away, although I've done quite well for my club so far.

"I can't really say why things are going so well for me at Cardiff this season. A lot of it comes down to the players I've got around me, they've been great this season. The whole team's been fantastic, it's not just down to me.

"I've been working with the fitness coach at Cardiff and I've been working with the weights as much as I can. I'm bulking up, getting some muscle on me which helps.

"The training at Cardiff is very sharp as well, we're looking good in training, which we then take on to the pitch obviously.

"Playing against Birmingham last weekend, I think was the best atmosphere I've ever played a game in. It was brilliant.

"To come out of the tunnel and see the ground packed like that gives the players a buzz. It was unbelievable and we hope we have that every week.

"We played well against Birmingham. We knew before the game we could beat them, although we knew it would be tough.

"But we came flying out of the blocks and they couldn't cope with us. It was a brilliant performance by the team. I think it showed we're not afraid of anybody.

"We've had some great results at Cardiff so far, but there is a long, long way to go so I can't get too carried away with things at the moment even though we are top of the league."

Wales then face Brazil in a friendly at White Hart Lane on Tuesday September 5th.