Tom Bradshaw: Walsall striker's Wales hopes hit by injury

Bradshaw scored once in eight appearances for Wales Under-21s after making his debut in September 2011

Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw has had to put his reawakened international ambitions on hold after suffering an untimely hamstring injury.

The 22-year-old summer signing from Shrewsbury, Walsall's top scorer with five goals this term, had been put on standby for Wales' Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Cyprus.

But he picked up a hamstring injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bristol City.

He will miss Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Rochdale.

And Walsall boss Dean Smith is hoping that getting on top of the injury as quickly as they did, just 35 minutes into the game against the League One leaders, will prevent more lasting damage.

"Tom felt it as he struck the ball, so we took no chances and replaced him as soon as we could," said Smith. "Hopefully it's just a strain. He's going for a scan on Tuesday just to make sure that there is no tear.

"It means that he won't be available for Rochdale but his absence gives someone else the opportunity."

Shrewsbury-born Bradshaw grew up on the mid-Wales coast in Tywyn before moving back to Shropshire with his parents to improve his chances of becoming a professional footballer.

He made to a great start when he scored two goals on his league debut for Shrewsbury in April 2010, but subsequently managed just 15 further goals in 97 appearances up to the end of last season, the majority of which came off the bench.

A summer move to Walsall has reignited his career, and he had hoped his club form might do the same for him with Wales.

His international career stalled when he was called up for Wales' Under-21 Championship matches against Lithuania and San Marino a year ago, only for Bradshaw to withdraw, to allow him to play in a League One game against Gillingham.

Angered by Bradshaw putting club before country, Wales Under-21 manager Geraint Williams said that he would no longer consider him for selection.

But Bradshaw is now over age for the Under-21s and eligible only for the full Welsh side, should manager Chris Coleman select him.