MARK Harris has seen his early season form for Oxford United rewarded with a call-up to the Wales squad.

The 25-year-old striker has scored three goals in three Sky Bet Championship games this season, backing up the 19 strikes netted across all competitions last season, as United won promotion to the second tier.

Harris, who has five caps for Wales already, was part of the 26-man squad which went to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, however he failed to make an appearance as his country finished bottom of Group B, behind England, USA and Iran.

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New Wales head coach Craig Bellamy, appointed last month, has clearly been impressed by Harris though, and the U’s forward is now braced to win his first cap since June 2022.

Wales host Turkey in a UEFA Nations League clash on September 6, before visiting Montenegro in the same competition on September 9. Iceland complete the Group B4 line-up.

United head coach Des Buckingham said: “Playing in the Championship, you probably get a few more eyes on you, and what you do is maybe a bit more recognised than it is in League One.

“He’s started the season off as he finished the last. He’s scored three in three, but it’s also the work and bits that he brings to his game with the ball, and certainly without, that he’s really added.

“It’s a great recognition for him to be able to hopefully go and represent his country.”

He added: “It shows the levels we’re working at and the kind of players we want at this club. He won’t be the only one that disappears in this international break.

“It’s what happens the higher up the leagues you go. The calibre and quality of players are either developed to compete and challenge, that they do get called up, or the club ends up playing in a league where international players become a lot more viable to you, and wouldn’t have been available to us over the last couple of years.”