Dave Edwards backs Daniel James to excite Shrewsbury Town fans

James, 19, has joined Town on a season-long loan from Swansea City and is currently getting to know his new team mates at a training camp in Portugal.

The teenager, who was on the bench for the Swans in the Premier League last season, was called up to the Wales squad, to replace the injured Hal Robson-Kanu, for last month’s World Cup qualifier away to Serbia.

That gave former Town midfielder Edwards the chance to take a close look at James, and he saw enough to suggest that boss Paul Hurst has made another astute addition to his new-look squad.

Edwards, who won his 39th cap in the 1-1 draw in Belgrade, told the Chronicle: “He’s tricky, definitely, and he’s got a real low centre of gravity. He moves with the ball quickly. He’ll definitely be a bit of a nightmare for full backs, for sure, he’s got that little change of pace.”

Edwards, in line to face Shrewsbury with Wolves in a pre-season friendly on July 22, added he was impressed how James handled the step up to the senior Wales squad.

The Town new boy was selected by manager Chris Coleman after returning from playing for Wales under-20s in the Toulon Tournament in France alongside Tyler Roberts, who was such a hit on loan at Oteley Road last season.

James had caught the eye on under-20 duty, winning and converting the late penalty which earned the young Dragons their opening victory against Bahrain.

Edwards said: “He joined up with the squad when we were in Cardiff so he had a good four or five days training with us. It was a great experience for him and I think he even got the number nine shirt for the game as well which I bet he was happy with.

“There was a lot of tactical work leading into the Serbia game, so obviously you can’t really express yourself too much, but you could see he was very competent at that level, definitely.”

He added: “With Wales, it’s good how all the age groups right up to the senior team are linked very well with coaches, and the gaffer goes to watch a lot of the games, so they would have known a lot about him beforehand and they showed enough trust in him that he was ready to come up.

“I would never have known that he wasn’t a fully fledged first team player.

"He definitely carried himself as if he was, in a good way that is. I spoke to him a few times, he seemed very respectful as well, a nice personality, so I think Shrewsbury have got a good signing.

“I think he’ll definitely excite the fans with what he can do with the ball.”

James, who joined Swansea in August 2014 from home town club Hull City’s academy, impressed for the Liberty Stadium club’s under-23s last season as they clinched a league and cup double.

He qualifies to represent Wales through his dad, who is from Aberdare.

Town will play their opening pre-season game against National League side Ebbsfleet United in Portugal on Saturday before heading back to England the next day.

Hurst will then take his side to Northamptonshire to face Brackley next Tuesday (7pm).