Wales v Netherlands: Friendly 'massive' opportunity - Ian Rush

Hal Robson-Kanu has been the main foil for Gareth Bale in attack for Wales during Euro 2016 qualifying

Wales' friendly with the Netherlands on Friday is a huge opportunity for some of the fringe players, says Ian Rush.

With star players Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey not involved at Cardiff City Stadium, ex-Wales striker Rush believes there is a chance for others to shine.

"People say we rely on Ramsey and Bale, but it's a chance for someone else to do it now," said Rush, 54.

"It's massive for the players that are there, it's a chance to see what they can do and hopefully they can do it."

While any player can stake a claim against the Dutch to be in Chris Coleman's squad for the Euro 2016 finals next June, Rush - Wales' record goal-scorer with 28 from 73 games - believes it is time another striker stepped up.

Real Madrid star Bale scored seven of Wales' 11 goals during qualifying to help Wales reach their first major finals since the 1958 World Cup.

But Rush wants at least one of the other Welsh forwards available to Coleman to prove they can find the net regularly and share the goal-scoring burden with Bale.

"When we've got Sam Vokes, Simon Church, Hal Robson-Kanu, they all work really hard, but we're looking for someone who can tap the ball in from a yard as well," Liverpool great Rush said.

Ian Rush remains Wales' record goal-scorer with 28 from 73 games

"You can't knock them because the effort they put in, it makes it easier for the likes of Bale and Ramsey.

"But you have to look at different options and I'm sure Chris will be looking at the options... although I don't mind Wales winning by the odd goal as long as they win!

"You only get so many chances in international football so what you've got to do is take the chance.

"It's a big chance for some of them, some of them even to make the squad never mind get in there [the starting XI].

"If people impress against Holland, the coaching staff will say 'I'm going to have to look at him again, he may be part of my squad'.

Young Welsh talent shining through

Rush is helping the development of the next generation of Welsh footballers in his role as Wales Under-16 elite performance director.

The under-16s retained their Victory Shield title with a 3-1 win against Northern Ireland on Thursday and Rush believes the future is bright.

"It took us 50-60 years to win outright last year, it's a piece of history and another piece of history has been done now, they've retained it," he said.

"That tells me we're not going up and down all the time.

"We're going up and we've reached a level last year that we've been trying a long time to get to.

"I'm really, really proud of them... they put the effort in and they deserve it.

"It's a great education for all these players, that's what it's all about... hopefully some of these go on and make it into the senior team as well."