MARK Travers is “buzzing” to see Chris Mepham get a chance to showcase his talents on the world stage, after a “tough” spell out of the Cherries side. Now, Mepham is in Qatar, competing in the World Cup with Wales. He played the full 90 minutes of Monday’s 1-1 draw with USA and will be hoping to keep his spot for Friday’s crunch clash against Iran (10am).
Mark Travers said: “Massive credit to Meps. He has come in this year and been a massive, massive player for us in the centre of defence. He’s been class. It was obviously tough, he didn’t play much last season, but it just shows you the type of person he is to come in this season and claim his spot in the team and do brilliantly. So I’m buzzing for the two lads away with Wales. I’ll be rooting for them, because it will be a tough group but I think they’ll do really well and they’re excited for it.”
Travers himself has been on the international stage, making three senior appearances for Republic of Ireland. They failed to qualify for Qatar, finishing third in their group behind Serbia and Portugal.
Mark Travers said: “It would’ve been nice to get to a World Cup, obviously, but hopefully in the future that can happen. But of course I’m rooting for all the lads really. We work day in, day out together. It’s a dream for them (Mepham and Kieffer Moore) to go to a World Cup, so of course you want to see them do well and win games. It’s really exciting for them.”
