IPSWICH new boy Gary Roberts could have an international future with Wales.The Football Association of Wales are checking on Chester-born Roberts' eligibility and whether or not he qualifies through a grandparent.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH new boy Gary Roberts could have an international future with Wales.

The Football Association of Wales are checking on Chester-born Roberts' eligibility and whether or not he qualifies through a grandparent.

Roberts, 22, is currently on loan at Portman Road from League Two side Accrington Stanley and the clubs are believed to have already thrashed out the terms of a permanent signing deal to be completed in January.

Wales Under-21 boss Brian Flynn was keeping tabs on Roberts before he moved to Ipswich and the fact that he has coped with the step-up to Championship level has alerted him all over again.

Flynn said: “He is someone we would consider as he has a lot of ability.

“What we need first is him to prove he has Welsh relations and once that happens we will take it from there.”

Roberts must now check his family tree to see if he can put himself in the frame for international honours in what is turning out to be a whirlwind chapter in his career.

A one-time Liverpool trainee, he continued his career with Crewe before playing for Bangor, Rhyl and Welshpool Town and then moving back to England to join Accrington, whom he helped to win promotion from the Nationwide Conference last season.

Roberts has already received international recognition of a sort after he represented the non-league England side - the England National Game X1 - last season.

If he did make it into the senior Welsh squad he would have Ipswich Town keeper Lewis Price, currently sidelined with a fractured rib, for company.

Another injured player, midfielder Gavin Williams, has also won two Welsh caps but has not been included in manager John Toshack's recent squads.