FORMER Newport County AFC loan star Ollie Cooper is giving Wales boss Robert Page food for thought ahead of the World Cup, believes his Swansea manager.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a superb 2021/22 with the Exiles, whose League Two promotion challenge faltered when he was injured in the run-in.

Cooper returned to Swansea with the aim of earning regular action at the Championship club and he has made the breakthrough.

The attacking midfielder scored in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Reading, his second goal in as many games on home soil.

Cooper was a creative spark and bundle of energy in defence at Rodney Parade and he is now producing the goods at his parent club, and being talked of as a potential bolter for Qatar.

South Wales Argus: TALENT: Ollie Cooper on the run for CountyTALENT: Ollie Cooper on the run for County

Swansea boss Russell Martin said: “He’ll play for Wales at some point. I’ve got no doubt.

“I’m not the Wales manager, so I don’t know when that will be. But he has the ability and capacity now to be in that squad in my opinion.

“Rob (Page) has spoken about rewarding the people who have been on the journey with him.

“They’ve been on an incredible journey. I totally respect and understand that, and I’m sure Ollie would.”

Cooper made 35 appearances for County last season and has enjoyed 12 outings in all competitions for the Swans this term, the latest a key role in a comeback win.

Reading produced effective counter-attacks to lead 2-0 through Yakou Meite and Tom Ince after 33 minutes.

But Harry Darling’s header cut the deficit before the interval, and second-half goals from Cooper and Jay Fulton – who lashed home from 30 yards – lifted Swansea to seventh in the Championship standings with Reading dropping to ninth.

Martin said: “I thought it was harsh on the players that we were 2-0 down. We started really well, but the goals we conceded were really poor – Reading pounced on our mistakes really well.

“The players were really annoyed at half-time, but the way they reacted was fantastic.

“To be 2-0 down after the disappointment we had at Burnley (Swansea lost 4-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday) and come back, it takes some guts and courage.

“We’re really proud of them. That is one of the biggest wins we have had, especially when you consider how young our team was. It just shows they are really starting to believe in themselves.”