NATIONAL manager Ryan Giggs has challenged rising stars like Newport County AFC academy graduate Regan Poole to prove they’re worth a place on the plane to Los Angeles for Wales’ friendly clash with Mexico.

Poole is celebrating his first call-up to the senior Wales squad after impressing as he's risen through the ranks from the under-17s to the under-21s.

The 19-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, left County for Manchester United in 2015 after making his Football League debut aged just 16 the year before.

He spent last season on loan at Northampton Town in League One and is one of nine uncapped players selected.

Tranmere goalkeeper Luke Pilling, Cardiff City defender Cameron Coxe, Swansea City midfielder Dan James and Manchester City striker Matthew Smith are among those named in the senior squad for the first time.

And Giggs urged the youngsters to grab their opportunity to impress as the squad heads to North Wales next week.

“It’s a training camp and I’ve said to the young lads ‘this is a chance for you shine and show us what you’ve got’,” said the manager.

“Obviously not all of them are going to go but I wanted to give the young lads that incentive to get on the trip to LA and be part of the game against Mexico.

“I was always keen when I started to have that pathway through and that communication with Robert Page, Paul Bodin and Rob Edwards – all the managers who look after the younger teams.

“I want to give them a chance because that’s what I got brought up with and that’s what I believe in.

“It’s a great chance for players to stake a claim and that’s what I saw in China – players given a chance and taking it,” added Giggs, whose reign as Wales boss started with matches against China and Uruguay in Nanning in March.

“There were some debuts and some fantastic performances and that’s what I wanted.

“I want the established players to be looking over their shoulders and younger players biting at their ankles and wanting their place. That can only be good for the squad.”

Giggs had limited time with the squad ahead of the China Cup matches but Wales will head early to Los Angeles next week and use the prestigious training facilities of UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).

“In China I had one-and-a-half training sessions before the first game,” said the Manchester United legend.

"I didn't want that before my next game.

"I wanted a good climate and, recognising it's the end of the season and lads want to get on holiday, so I wanted a decent environment.

"I've been to LA and the facilities are great, and at the end of it, it's a really tough game against a team who are going to the World Cup."

Former County midfielder Lee Evans, another graduate of the Exiles academy, and Newport-born Chris Gunter are also included in the squad.

Gareth Bale and Ben Woodburn are among the names missing. Real Madrid forward Bale and Liverpool youngster Woodburn could both be involved in the Champions League final in Kiev two days earlier.

Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen is also absent with a foot injury, but skipper Ashley Williams and Aaron Ramsey are included.

Wales squad: Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Maxwell (Preston North End), A. Davies (Barnsley), Pilling (Tranmere Rovers); A. Williams (Everton), Richards (Cardiff City), B. Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Gunter (Reading), John (Rangers), Roberts (Swansea City), Mepham (Brentford), Poole (Manchester United), Rodon (Swansea City), Matthews (Sunderland), Coxe (Cardiff City), Lockyer (Bristol Rovers); Ramsey (Arsenal), Ledley (Derby County), James (Swansea City), Thomas (Leicester City), G. Williams (St Johnstone, on loan from Fulham), Smith (Manchester City), Evans (Sheffield United), King (Leicester City), Hedges (Barnsley), Watkins (Norwich City); Lawrence (Derby County), Wilson (Liverpool), Vokes (Burnley), Bradshaw (Barnsley), Brooks (Sheffield United), Robson-Kanu (West Bromwich Albion).