Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw on his Wales international return

Tom Bradshaw’s excellent Championship form has earned a Wales recall but the Millwall striker did not take a return for granted.

The striker, 30, has been called up by Rob Page for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia later this month.

Bradshaw is on 14 goals, provided he is credited with Millwall’s first in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Swansea, and has scored two hat-tricks in the campaign.

He also won Championship Player of the Month for February.

Asked if he expected a Wales return off the back of his headline-grabbing antics, he told the South London Press: “It’s something you try not to put too much thought into, because you never know what direction the national team is going in – whether it is to progress youth or what angles they are looking at. Even tactically, what are they looking for? It’s something that you don’t assume until you hear the news – regardless of how well you are doing for your club.

“You just keep going and doing your best. Hopefully what you are doing is good enough to get that call-up. Luckily this time it has been.

“The club got emailed and Gary (Rowett)  called me and told me the news over the phone. He said massive congratulations, it’s really deserved and that he couldn’t be happier for me.”

Bradshaw was born in Shrewsbury but moved to Wales at the age of two. Eligibility rules meant Bradshaw could not play for Wales until U19 level. He was also capped eight times by their U21s.

“I called my dad first (after his latest call up),” said Bradshaw. “I did all my school there (in Wales). I was there from two until 16.

“It’s brilliant to be back involved. I grew up in Wales and basically spent my whole adolescent life there. I’ve got loads of friends who are also massive Wales fans – they have gone to various tournaments following them.

“It was something I was involved in for quite a while.

“When Rob Page took over he looked at the younger players coming through, the next generation. There are a lot of great young players in the squad.

“It’s been a little while since I’ve been involved, but I still know a lot of the lads in the set up. I played with Kieffer Moore and Adam Davies at Barnsley for a couple of years. There are also players you play against and get to know.

“It’s not a group of strangers. Rob Page was my U21 manager. There are a lot of connections there.

“Hopefully I can help the team out. I feel in great form at the moment -whenever I step out on the pitch I feel like I’m going to score.

“Hopefully I can take that confidence over to the Wales squad and if I’m needed then hopefully I can show it on the pitch.”