By Graham Thomas
Ben Cabango has been backed to pass another examination tonight – the Harry Kane test.
The 20-year-old defender has already graduated from Newport County’s academy to the Championship with Swansea City, via the Cymru Premier League with The New Saints.
Cabango has even managed to squeeze in his first international cap –earned as an 89th minute substitute in the 1-0 victory over Finland at the start of September – even though he is little more than a year into his senior Swans career.
But now comes the prospect of something altogether more testing, a requirement to keep Kane in check when Wales face England at Wembley in a match being screened live on S4C, ahead of the two Nations League matches that follow.
“That would definitely be a step up for Ben,” says Swansea manager Steve Cooper about the prospect of his highly promising young defender being asked to shackle England’s captain and master marksman.
But if Cabango get his chance at some stage – likely to be alongside his sought-after club defensive partner Joe Rodon – then Cooper believes the pair will rise to the challenge.
Cabango and 22-year-old Roden have been part of a back three at the Liberty Stadium this season, who, along with Mark Guehi, have only conceded one goal in their opening four matches.
“They’ve been in great form and in many ways they have really come of age this season,” says Cooper.
“It’s a big move up from the Championship to playing against England at Wembley, as are the Nations League matches, but I like to think they work they do with the club now and the work they do with Wales goes hand in hand.
“They get good experience with us and they’re getting good experience with Wales. They are both definitely boys who want to learn from what they’re doing and who want to get better.
“They are still on a journey, but they are both young men who are very focussed on getting to the best level of their potential.
“In the end, how far these two can go will be up to them. But they are both fully committed to their development and they want to get the very best out of their careers.
“We saw Ben’s potential as soon as we took him into the first team squad. He’s a good learner, he wants to improve every single day and we’re really enjoying watching him develop.”
Cabango was born in Cardiff and attended Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, but somehow found his way down the road to Newport County’s academy, rather than to Cardiff City.
While there, he came to the attention of current Newport manager Mike Flynn, who knows a rough diamond when he sees one.
Flynn, who was on County’s playing staff at the time, says: “Ben was a big kid back then, but he’s really kicked on a player and physically.
“He’s a real man now and it takes a lot for forwards to get the better of him.”
Kane will be out to do just that, though, and the Tottenham striker has started the season in his usual goal-hungry form with eight goals in 10 matches already this season, including two last weekend in Tottenham’s 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Cabango and Roden – who is reported to still be a domestic transfer target for both Spurs and West Ham – may not be the only fresh-faced lines of defence out to smother the threat of Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Marcus Rashford.
Liverpool’s Neco Williams, 19, could add to the dramatic impact he had when he scored the winner in the second Nations League victory over Bulgaria.
Gareth Southgate’s England have been hit by a number of absentees from what was originally a 30-man squad, with Ben Chilwell, Tammy Abraham and Jadon Sancho all ruled out after attending Abraham’s surprise birthday party on Sunday, the day before the trio were due to link up with their team-mates at St George’s Park.
It’s a friendly…no fans…but…
Can’t wait for @England v @cymru @sgorio Live @S4C tomorrow
This image kicks off the whole programme @Chrisgunter16 😎❤️ pic.twitter.com/vLFQYHaPM0— Dylan Ebenezer (@DylanEbz) October 7, 2020
Aaron Ramsey will miss out for Wales as a result of coronavirus procedures following a positive test in the Juventus staff.
The clash against the old enemy will always have plenty at stake, but for Wales manager Ryan Giggs the more significant matches are to follow with Wales in Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, before another Nations League tie in Bulgaria, three days later.
Both of those crucial ties are also live on S4C.
Giggs admits: “Our players can’t wait for this game and we’ll have to be at our best and on our toes to stop the likes of Marcus Rashford and the other players England have.
“He’s one of a number of England players we’ll have to look out for in their forward line.”
S4C – Thursday – 7.30pm
Sgorio: England v Wales. Live friendly international football. This is the first meeting between the countries since England won in Lens during the Euro 2016 Championships.
Dylan Ebenezer brings you all the action, with Nic Parry, Malcolm Allen and Owain Tudur Jones. K/O 8.00.
