FORMER Newport County AFC star Lee Evans admits he has to win back his place in the Wolverhampton Wanderers side before he can think about a recall to the Wales senior side.

The 20-year-old from Newport was in impressive form for the under-21s on Tuesday night as they began their Euro 2017 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Bulgaria in Cardiff.

It was a much-needed 90 minutes for Evans who has not featured regularly for Wolves since November.

A superb start to life in the Championship with the Midlands giants earned him a place in Chris Coleman’s full national squad in October and November.

But a hamstring injury prevented him making his debut against Bosnia Herzegovina or Cyprus and he watched from the stands as Gareth Bale and teammates earned a 0-0 draw in Belgium.

And since then it has been tougher for Evans as a hand injury sustained in November and a row over a tweet criticising his absence from the squad, which appeared on his brother Danny’s Twitter account, have sidelined him.

Evans hasn’t played for the Wolves first team since February 7 and, with Kenny Jackett’s men pushing hard for a Championship play-off place, he admits it’s been a frustrating few months.

“I haven’t played enough games for Wolves over the last few months so I wasn’t expecting to be in the senior squad for Israel,” he said.

“I was just happy to get called up for the under-21s and get a game, which is what I needed.

“I put the balls in for the first two goals so I’m happy with how I played. I was a bit tired towards the end, probably because of the lack of match fitness, but overall I was happy.

“It has been hard,” he added. “After breaking my hand against Birmingham I tried to play on with it and I couldn’t continue my form.

“I’ve had to watch a lot lately and it’s been difficult but they’ve been winning games so I can’t really complain too much.

“I’ve had a few words of advice from the manager and I know I’ve just got to keep my head down and work hard in training, which is what I’ve been doing.

“We’ve definitely got a good chance of making the play-offs. The way they’re playing at the moment I don’t think many defences fancy playing against our front lads.”

Two goals from Tom O’Sullivan and one from Josh Yorweth earned three points for Geraint Williams’ under-21s and Evans was pleased that the youngsters carried on the feel-good factor for Welsh football.

“We all watched the first team together at the weekend and they were brilliant,” Evans said of the seniors’ 3-0 win in Israel.

“We wanted to match that and we’re pleased to start off with three points.

“There are a few of us trying to knock on the door but I need to keep doing well for the under-21s before I think about getting into the senior team.”