Ex-Premier League star who snubbed Wales TWICE and ‘would love’ to play for England finally gets international call-up

KARL DARLOW has been called up by Wales having previously rejected them twice to leave the door open for an England cap.

The former Newcastle keeper, 33, joined Leeds last year after nearly a decade at St James’ Park where he made 52 Premier League appearances.

Karl Darlow, right, has been included in Wales’ squad for their Nations League gamesRex

Craig Bellamy named the Leeds shot-stopper in his first squadPA

He has featured just four times for the Championship side, playing second fiddle to Ilan Meslier.

But that has not stopped him from being selected for the first time by Wales as new head coach Craig Bellamy named his squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against Turkey and Montenegro.

Darlow is born in Northampton but his grandfather, Ken Leek, featured as a striker for Wales on 13 occasions in the 1960s and was an unused squad player at the 1958 World Cup.

Darlow was previously approached by the Welsh FA in 2013 and 2018, but declined on both occasions.

The first time it was confirmed he did not think it was the “right time to make any decisions” on his international future.

Five years later, he then rejected Wales again in a bid to focus on regaining his position as Newcastle’s No1.

This was because he had a desire to play for England.

Speaking in 2020, he told The Mail: “It’s the one thing that as a child you want to do [play for England].

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Darlow played just two league games for Leeds last season

“There would be no bigger achievement and I just want to leave the window open for it to happen.

“I know I have ability and, if I can get a good run of games and get on some good form, then there is potential for that to happen. I would love nothing more.”

Leicester’s Danny Ward and Sheffield United’s Adam Davies are the other keepers in the squad.

Wales host Turkey on September 6 before they travel to face Montenegro three days later.

It will be Bellamy’s first set of games in charge since taking over from Rob Page.

And some Wales fans are less than impressed about Darlow’s inclusion.

One said: “Karl Darlow should be nowhere near the squad.”

Another added: “Keeper situation is worrying, Karl Darlow?”

While a third replied: “F***ing Karl Darlow…”