Wayne Hennessey on song for Wales

Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has welcomed the chance to hit the high notes for Wales.

And now Hennessey wants the squad to show that Wales really is the 'land of song' against England this weekend after boss Gary Speed's plan to hand out songsheets to players' so they can learn the words of the national anthem.

In many ways the singing of 'Land of My Fathers' – or rather the lack of it – could be said to sum up their modest efforts on the pitch in recent times.

But new boss Speed wants Wales to call the tune on and off the field now, starting with Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium.

And Anglesey-born Hennessey – as passionate a Welshman as you will find in Speed's squad – can't wait for the songsheets to be passed around the squad's Vale of Glamorgan base.

He said: "Back in the day I was the only guy singing the national anthem and it didn't feel right. Now Gary wants all of us to have a go at singing it and that's got to be a good thing.

"Gary handed out the sheets before our game against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin and I think something like that can help in the long run. Of course, some people are in the moment and are just ready to play and want to concentrate on the game.

"But it's great if the anthem stirs players and gets them passionate about playing for their country."

Wales' Wolverhampton-born defender Ashley Williams learned the anthem phonetically from his former Swansea team-mate Owain Tudur-Jones, so it shows it can be done.

The French Football Federation has also told its players they must sing La Marseillaise before kick-off in the wake of France's World Cup fiasco.

But, of course, it's what happens on the field that really matters.

Wales slumped to an all-time low of 116th on the FIFA world rankings last month as Speed's reign got off to an inauspicious start with the 3-0 Carling Nations Cup defeat in Dublin.

It doesn't get any easier for Speed with England providing him with his first test on Welsh soil this weekend.

Hennessey said: "It was a tough game out in Ireland and Gary didn't have any time to prepare the squad.

"We only had an afternoon training session over there to get ready and that's difficult because when you train with players, you pick up all their strengths and weaknesses.

"But this game will be different altogether. We're 'in camp' for five days and that's a lot better. Every manager has a different way of doing things and Gary is the same.

"The players are all looking forward to changing things around and this game is a great place to start.

"Any Welsh player looks forward to playing against England and the lads can't wait."

Wales' Group G campaign has yet to produce a point with defeats to Montenegro, Bulgaria and Switzerland under two previous managers, John Toshack and Brian Flynn.

It means that qualification for the 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine is already out of the question, so the pressure might be off Wales.

But the heat will be on England after being held at Wembley by Montenegro - who have won their three other qualifiers - in October and boss Fabio Capello knows his star-studded squad can't afford another slip-up in Cardiff.

Speed has his top players back after Gareth Bale returned to full fitness recently to provide England with an uncomfortable afternoon.

Hennessey said: "We need all our big players back for the game. Gareth, Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey are massive players for us and being without key men has been our problem in the past.

"When we can pick our best team we can compete with anyone, but once there are three, four, five missing, we struggle. The bigger nations can cope, but Wales cannot.

"England against Wales has always been a massive fixture and this is going to be a huge occasion and a real test for us. And, while I don't think the group is sorted out yet, this is Wales' cup final.

"It would be like that if it was a friendly international, but the fact it's a qualifying game adds even more to it."

Hennessey goes into the game having earned rave reviews for his recent Wolves form.

The 24-year-old is sure to be tested to the full by Wayne Rooney and Co this weekend.

But, despite earning plenty of plaudits, the 6ft 5ins shotstopper still feels as if he wants to add more to his game at international level.

He said: "I still feel I have to prove myself at this level and hopefully I can help Wolves stay in the Premier League.

"It's the highest standard a player can play and I need to keep playing there to keep my Wales place.

"Neville Southall always played in the top flight and it's great to know he's a big fan of mine.

"I used to watch Nev a lot and it would be great to follow in his footsteps and keep playing at the top for so long."