Preston North End defender Andrew Hughes still hasn’t earned a first Wales call-up despite his consistency at Deepdale.
On Tuesday, we look at Liam Lindsay’s situation with the Scottish national team.
Lindsay has yet to be capped by Scotland despite cementing himself as a key part of PNE’s back three.
There is a similar story right next to Lindsay in North End’s back line as Andrew Hughes still hasn’t been picked by Wales.
Born in Cardiff, formerly of Newport County and once a part of the Welsh youth sides, Hughes is surely on the Wales radar.
Yet as Hughes approaches 32, Wales still haven’t given him that call-up or senior cap – and he has now seen another Championship defender earn a call-up instead.
QPR defender earns Wales call-up over Andrew Hughes
Wales take on Finland in a Euro 2024 play-off on Thursday night, marking a huge game for boss Rob Page and co.
Defenders Tom Lockyer, Ben Cabango and Joe Low are all out so Wales have been forced to call up an uncapped defender.
Yet rather than go for Hughes, Wales have gone for Queens Park Rangers defender Morgan Fox instead.
This seems like a curious decision.
Fox has started just nine Championship games this season whereas Hughes has started 26 for PNE.
This isn’t about age either as Fox is 30, just one year younger than Hughes.
This isn’t about continuity given that Fox has never been capped by Wales, so going for Fox over Hughes seems baffling.
Both defenders have fairly similar profiles as tall, left-sided defenders who can play at centre back or full back.
Fox’s lack of football this season compared to Hughes makes the decision very strange though, as Hughes has been deserving of Welsh recognition for a while now.
The PNE defender has been a consistent performer whenever called upon since joining from Peterborough United back in 2018.
That he hasn’t even had a call-up, never mind a cap, in his six years at PNE is frankly bizarre.
Hughes noted in 2022 that the Welsh FA do have his number, but he hadn’t had any communication from them about a call-up before the World Cup in Qatar.
Nearly 18 months on, Hughes still isn’t being selected but seeing other Championship defenders – even those who are playing less than him – getting call-ups is a real kick in the teeth after so many years of consistent play in a North End shirt.