Carl Robinson is grateful to at last have been given a proper run in the Wales team.

The Sunderland midfielder was at best a bit-part player under Mark Hughes, amassing just 19 games in six seasons - most as substitute - before John Toshack took over.

But as much due to retirements, Robinson has just completed his fifth successive start for Wales. That is by far the best run of his career, and he cannot wait for more.

The 28-year-old would be expected to hold his place in Toshack's midfield against Poland in Warsaw tomorrow, unless the Wales boss decides on a more adventurous system.

Robinson said: "I was taken off on Saturday against England to allow Jason Koumas to come on and add some creativity to the game, and he did very well.

"I accept that, this is a squad game now and I am just delighted to have been given my chance at last.

"Sometimes we will have a more defined holding duo and other times Jason can produce some extra attacking ideas.

"I am pleased with the confidence in me from the manager. I have been around the squad for a while but mostly as back-up to players who have now left the squad.

"When John Toshack took charge he spoke to me and Carl Fletcher and told us he was going to use us as a partnership. He certainly gave both of us confidence."

He added: "I had been in the squad under Mark Hughes and had some opportunities. But I always knew when Gary Speed, Mark Pembridge and Robbie Savage were fit they would be playing ahead of me. I understood that.

"Now all three of them have retired and it gives other people a chance, and Carl and I have got to take that chance.

"It has been a long time coming. I am now back in the Premiership with Sunderland and you have to accept good and bad times, but it is all beginning to look good for me at the moment.

"What you must not do is be over-excited when things go well or too down when you are not in the side."

l Wales Under-21 coach Brian Flynn has tipped late developer Owain Tudur Jones to complete the climb from the League of Wales to the full national side.

The 20-year-old Tudur Jones was playing for Bangor when he was 16, captain at 18 but a couple of months ago Swansea took the gamble on the midfielder and now he is set to win his third under-21 cap in Poland tonight.

Flynn said: "I was delighted with Owain's full debut for the under-21s against England on Friday," he said. "And when you look where he was three months ago, still at Bangor, it shows what can be achieved if you want it.

"He has that desire. My first impressions of him is that he so desperately wants to be a professional footballer, and he will do everything to grasp the opportunity now it has come along for him."