Leeds United player breaks 20-year record on Monday night during 2-1 win for his country

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The first international break is now nearing an end and Leeds United can start to expect their on-duty players to return to Thorp Arch in the coming days, one of which has broken a long-standing record.

Ilia Gruev played his second of two games on Sunday night, while Max Wober was an unused sub last night with injury a concern. New star Manor Solomon also played his second game, a 2-1 defeat to Italy.

Then, the Wales players were also in action for the second time in the break. After a 0-0 draw with Turkey in Craig Bellamy’s first game in charge, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon were expected to start once again.

But Bellamy also gave 33-year-old goalkeeper Karl Darlow the nod between the sticks. The Leeds back-up goalkeeper was given a watching brief against Turkey, with Leicester’s Danny Ward starting in goal.

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Leeds man Karl Darlow breaks Wales record held for 20 years

Northampton-born Darlow had been approached to play for Wales in the past but turned it down in the hope he might get an England call-up. But with that long gone, he accepted recent calls to play for Wales.

On Monday night, he won his first cap. Bellamy handed Darlow a start in terrible conditions away from home in Montenegro as Wales secured a first three points of the new UEFA Nations League campaign.

A goal from Kieffer Moore in the first minute and a rocket from Harry Wilson in the third was enough for Wales, as stopper Darlow became the eldest player to make his debut since Martyn Margetson in 2004.

BBC reporter Rob Phillips said: “Karl Darlow deserves special credit. Super double save save 1st half & handled well in terrible conditions. At 33 he is the oldest post-war debutant – beating Martyn Margetson.”

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Darlow enjoyed a mixed night on debut, and got very lucky

There was very little the Leeds stopper could do about Montenegro’s only goal but all in all, it was a solid performance from the former Newcastle man even if he got incredibly lucky in the first 45 minutes.

Standing some distance from his goal, Stefan Jovetic picked the ball up. Manchester City fans will know just how good Jovetic can be the forward had a go at goal, pinging the cross bar with Darlow stranded.

But, Darlow made some impressive saves and considering the conditions, performed admirably. A super stop then led to Tottenham’s Ben Davies making a block on the line as Bellamy’s men held on to win.