WALES under-21s are seeking to add to the current feel-good factor in Welsh football by qualifying for their own European Championship for the first time.

Chris Coleman's senior side are top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group after last weekend's 3-0 victory in Israel and Under-21s manager Geraint Williams is adamant his players can create their own slice of history by reaching the 2017 finals in Poland.

Williams' side avoided the big European guns when the draw was made at the start of February with Denmark, Romania, Armenia, Bulgaria and Luxembourg joining them in Group 5.

Wales open their campaign against Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night and, while Williams says the prime objective is getting players into Coleman's squad, he also insists that should not detract from winning games at this level.

"The under-21s are a pathway to the first team, that's what we are all about," Williams said.

"If Chris wants to take one or two of our players then we maybe have to look below the Under-21s and move a couple up, but the ambition is to qualify from this group.

"It's never happened before and hopefully these players will become the first Welsh players to achieve that."

Leicester striker Tom Lawrence and Blackburn defender Adam Henley are both eligible for the Under-21s but the pair were both part of the senior squad last weekend.

But Cardiff full-back Declan John, who travelled to Israel following a late call-up to cover the injured Jazz Richards, has rejoined the under-21s and both he and Liverpool midfielder Harry Wilson have been capped at senior level.

"We took the first date in March because we didn't want to play in June when it would be out of season for us and our players would not have played for a month," Williams said.

"We've got a home game to start with but that is only good if you produce a performance that gets the three points."