JOEL Edwards has been called up to play for the Wales C squad to face England later this month.

The 27-year-old, from Hereford, currently plays for Cardiff Met University in the Welsh Premier League.

The defender was former captain of Hereford FC before leaving in July 2017.

The match will take place at Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium on March 19.

"I didn't know until actually the manager phoned me a couple of weeks ago," said Edwards.

"It did come as a bit of a surprise and it was nice to get called.

"Before that I had heard rumours and people at Cardiff Met were asking if I had any Welsh relatives.

"My nan and grandad are fully Welsh which made me eligible to qualify.

"It came as a sort of surprise as I have had injuries over the last couple of months so haven't been consistently playing."

The England C squad is made up of under-23 players who play in the National League system or below.

The match is a return fixture from last year’s thrilling clash in Barry, where England clinched a 3-2 victory, in what was the first meeting at that level between the nations.

Edwards came across England C manager Paul Fairclough when an FA XI visited Edgar Street to play a HFA XI.

However, none of the FA XI players from that evening feature in the England C side, which does include Edward Williams of Kidderminster Harriers.

"I had a bit of experience in that game and we gave a good account of ourselves," added Edwards.

Edwards will be familiar with his Wales C team-mates who all also play in the Welsh Premier League.

His Cardiff Met side currently sit top of the bottom half split and could still qualify for a Europa League play-off spot.

"The Wales C players are from teams in the Welsh league which isn't a big league so you play each team three or four times a season," added Edwards.

"So you do get to know a few of the players involved. Cardiff are currently top of the bottom half split.

"We know if we finish top we could still get to play-off for a European place. Every season the ultimate goal is a European spot and to do as well as we can in the league."