SAINTS defender Kyle Critchell has revealed that Wales teammate and Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is expecting a busy FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg at St Mary's tomorrow night.

Dorchester-born Critchell, who was signed from Weymouth by Saints as a striker two years ago, pledged his international future to Wales when he made his debut for the Welsh under-21s as a substitute against Austria at Merthyr Tydfil last month.

On the bench for Wales under-21s that night was Hennessey, who will be trying to stop the Saints attacking quartet of Theo Walcott, Nathan Dyer, Leon Best and David McGoldrick at St Mary's tomorrow (kick off 7pm).

Critchell, 18, said: "I played in front of Wayne for Wales under-18s in the European Championship qualifiers earlier this season and he's what you call a good talker!

"I'm used to him shouting at me during a game but he was asking me about our team the other day.

"He already knew we've got a lot of pace and two really good wingers, and I can tell he's worried about our strikeforce!

"Wayne's a good keeper. He hasn't got any weaknesses as such. He's an excellent shot stopper and is good at saving penalties, but if we bombard him with shots he won't be able to save everything."

Cup favourites Saints, who are 8-13 ON to win the tournament for the first time in the club's history, won their quarter-final 4-1 at West Ham but have been limited to 1-0 wins in their two St Mary's ties against Norwich City and Arsenal.

Critchell, 18, added: "We haven't played at our best in the competition so far but there's a lot to come. The pace of Theo and Nathan is a big asset but it's not just about our attack.

"We've got a really good defence, the midfielders Lloyd James and Tim Sparv are a big part of our side, and the goalkeeper Andrew McNeil can be a matchwinner.

"We've got a lot of confidence but we won't be going into the game thinking we've got a right to win."

Saints winger Walcott has scored five goals in nine games for England under-17s as a schoolboy, Martin Cranie skippers England under-19s a year above his age group, while Dyer is on the fringes of the England under-18 side, along with defender Sean Rudd.

But Critchell, who was also eligible to represent Scotland through his grandmother, has chosen to commit himself to Wales.

He added: "I was on standby to join the England under-18 training squad with Nathan and Sean last week and was invited to a Scotland training camp last season.

"But Wales have already given me a lot of opportunities and Wales under 21 manager Brian Flynn has made a point of speaking to me a few times.

"He's a top guy and I already feel like one of the boys, I'm definitely a Wales fan now but have been hammered by my Saints teammates for it!"

Right-footed Critchell's favoured position is centre-back. He plays at left back in the FA Youth Cup so captain Cranie can partner Rudd in the heart of the defence.

But he began his career as a striker and before signing for Saints two years ago made two appearances for Weymouth as a 15-year-old, where his dad Adrian, who played rugby for the Army, is the academy coach.

His brother Simon, 20, plays for Dorchester and Kyle qualifies to play for Wales through mum Dawn, a marathon runner from Abergaveney.

The Critchells will be at St Mary's tomorrow as Saints and Wolves play for the right to face Spurs or Ipswich in a two-legged final at the end of May.

Admission for tomorrow night's clash is £3 for adults and £1 concessions.