DEFENDER Ben Davies - a former pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera - is looking to play a key role for Wales at the Euro Championships.

Davies has only recently recovered from a calf injury, which ruled him out for Tottenham at the end of their Premier League campaign.

The 28-year-old, however, captained Wales against Albania on Saturday, having also appeared as a substitute against France in midweek.

The Swansea City academy product says he will be fit to face Switzerland in the opening game of the Euro 2020 tournament on June 12.

"It was nice to get the minutes under my belt," said Davies, after the goalless draw with Albania at Cardiff City Stadium last weekend.

"I feel as good as I could going into a big tournament, it's only a couple of games, but I've been training hard and I'm feeling good."

Davies is one of eight players in Wales' squad who remain from the historic Euro 2016 campaign in which they reached the semi-finals.

He said Wales have "plenty to work on" as they prepare to fly out to Baku on Monday - but he has benefitted from the game time.

"They're friendly games for a reason, they're there to try things out, and work on yourself more than results-based games," he said.

"It highlighted a few things where we need to do a lot better, but we'll work on it this week and be ready for the big games coming up."

A much-changed Wales side had struggled in the opening half against Albania, despite improving after a half-time tactical change.

"It highlights a few things where we need to do a lot better, there are plenty of things to work on after that game," he commented.

"We had a plan, and it didn't go exactly the way we had prepped for, but we adapted, changed it and we were a lot better second half.

"It was quite tough, but I would much rather things go wrong in the friendly games than when we are in the actual tournament."

Wales' draw with Albania followed a 3-0 friendly defeat to France on Wednesday, after Neco Williams was sent off after 25 minutes.

Davies played against Albania as a centre-back in both a back three and a back four, and he can also play as a full-back or wing back.

Interim manager Robert Page, whose side face Turkey and Italy after Saturday's opener, is pleased with the options Davies provides.

"I like him as a left of a three in build-up, even when we play a four, sometimes we still get him on that left-hand side," he said.

"His quality on the ball is excellent, he is a very good defender, reads the game and is a good communicator, so he ticks a lot of boxes."