Chris Coleman has congratulated David Brooks for having earned his first call-up for Wales and insists that he is not afraid to deploy the Sheffield United youngster in World Cup qualifying.
The 20-year-old winger was born in Warrington and starred in England's Toulon Tournament success last summer, when he was named as the best player of the competition.
Brooks, however, qualifies for Wales through his Wrexham-born mother, and switched allegiance in August when he was named in Rob Page's Under-21 squad.
Coleman insists that Brooks has "earned his chance" in the senior squad and is happy to potentially make use of him against Georgia and Republic of Ireland in October.
The Dragons boss told BBC Sport: "David Brooks has earned it, he has been great for Page. He was excellent for Sheffield United in the derby.
"He's shown great promise for some years, luckily for us he has chosen Wales. I am sure that has caused some ripples over the Severn Bridge. But it is a feather in the cap for our system, our structure, that David is here. He has earned his chance.
"I have met him, we had a coffee last month, we had a good chat. It's not like he's meeting me for the first time. I would not be afraid to put him on, but I don't feel obliged to cap him unless it suits us."
Brooks has only started three league games for the Blades, but is highly rated at Bramall Lane and impressed in the 4-2 derby victory over Sheffield Wednesday last Sunday.
Giuseppe Labellarte
