No outfield player as won more Welsh caps than legendary striker Dean Saunders, and he had to fight Ian Rush and Mark Hughes for a place!

His only regret is that none of his 75 caps were won against England which is why he is looking forward so much to Saturday’s game at Old Trafford.

"The last time England played Wales was in 1984, it came a couple of years before I established myself in the team," said Saunders.

"It’s a shame because it’s something I would love to have achieved. Being in the crowd to see this game will be fantastic but to be honest I wish I was out there playing."

Saunders, who scored goals for Derby, Liverpool and Galatasaray among others, has seen football rival rugby as Wales’ most popular sport in recent years.

"It’s really taken over," he enthuses. "Rugby union lost some of the stars to rugby league and the game lost a bit of momentum. It will come back but in the meantime football has become high-profile.

"The likes of Ryan Giggs, John Hartson and Craig Bellamy play for the big clubs. They are on television all the time and the kids respond to that.

"Ryan is one of the top players in Britain. I played with him and he’s still a fantastic player. I am just glad he is Welsh."

Saunders is a coach at Newcastle United which means he can give an up-to-date form guide on Wales striker Craig Bellamy and the English duo Nicky Butt and Jermaine Jenas.

"Butty scored a great goal against Birmingham and he does a great job in midfield, he does the things that don’t get a clap but are important for the team. Whenever the ball drops in midfield, he is first to it. He makes the right decisions most of the time.

"Craig has been playing was well, both up front and on the right - we all know what he is capable of. He is probably the quickest player at the club and I am hoping he can do some damage to the English defence.

"I had a private word with Craig before he left to join the squad. I think I said something along the lines of ‘make sure you don’t lose!’

Although Saunders never played in a major tournament, he has many international highlights to look back on.

"I scored the winner against Brazil in Cardiff and they had the likes of Bebeto playing. I think they went on to win the next World Cup," he recalls.

"Winning my 75th cap to equal Joey Jones’ appearance record for an outfield players was a really proud moment as well."

There could be another Saunders playing for Wales soon. But then again his son has other options as well.

"He is at the Academy at Crewe Alexandra. He was born in Turkey, has two Welsh parents and an English grandfather so he could play for any of them. I just hope he supports Wales on Saturday!"

Dean Saunders Factfile
Nationality: Wales (75 caps, 22 goals)
Date of Birth: 21 June 1964
Place of Birth: Swansea, Wales
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 67 kg 

Year

Club

Apps

Goals

1983/84

Swansea City

19

3

1984/85

Swansea City

30

9

1984/85

Cardiff City

4

0

1985/86

Brighton & HA

42

15

1986/87

Brighton & HA

30

6

1986/87

Oxford United

12

6

1987/88

Oxford United

37

12

1988/89

Oxford United

10

4

1988/89

Derby County

30

14

1989/90

Derby County

38

11

1990/91

Derby County

38

17

1991/92

Liverpool

36

10

1992/93

Liverpool

6

1

1992/93

Aston Villa

35

12

1993/94

Aston Villa

38

10

1994/95

Aston Villa

39

15

1995/96

Galatasaray

27

15

1996/97

Nottingham Forest

34

3

1997/98

Nottingham Forest

9

2

1997/98

Sheffield United

24

10

1998/99

Sheffield United

19

7

1998/99

Benfica

17

5

1999/00

Bradford City

34

3

2000/01

Bardford City

10

0


Statistics refer to league appearances/goals only