CHRIS Mepham described Wales's impressive victory over Turkey as a highlight "in what has been a fairly disappointing season for me", as Robert Page's side moved to the brink of qualification for the Euro 2020 knockout rounds.

Having drawn their opening Group A contest 1-1 against Switzerland on Saturday, Wales defeated Turkey 2-0 in Baku thanks to goals from Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts.

The win leaves them well placed to qualify, knowing victory over Italy on Sunday would confirm top spot in the group and set up a trip to Wembley in the last 16 against the Group C runners-up.

But even if they fail to overcome the in-form Azzurri, Page's men should progress in either second or third spot with their four points already likely to be enough.

Cherries defender Mepham has played a full part in both of Wales's contests so far, lining up at centre-back alongside Tottenham's Joe Rodon.

His season ended in disastrous fashion in the Championship, sent off as Cherries lost to Brentford in the play-off semi-finals little under a month ago.

That came at the end of a tricky season for the 23-year-old, who due to injury and selection was restricted to 28 appearances for his club, most of which came during the first half of the season under former boss Jason Tindall.

Mistakes made on the pitch led to criticism off it, with Mepham having spoken out about abuse he has received on social media over the past 12 months.

Speaking earlier this month, Cherries and Wales team-mate David Brooks admitted it was tough for Mepham after the loss at Brentford.

Brooks said: “It’s never nice to end a season on the note he did. At the end of the day, it is just football.

"Obviously, it is a very passionate game and at the time it was a very difficult time for him, but I've tried to get behind him and make him feel better.

"It’s onto the next game and trying to put it right and impress in the next game, so I think he knows that now and in the Euros he's keen to show people what he can do.”

And everything is certainly going to plan for Mepham this summer on the international stage.

Asked if victory over Turkey was one of his best nights of his 20-cap Wales career, Mepham said: "Yeah I’d say so. Either this or the Hungary qualification game (in 2019).

"Two very special nights for me. In what has been a fairly disappointing season for me, this has a hundred per cent been a highlight of it."

Neither Mepham nor Rodon had made their senior Wales debuts when the nation embarked on their memorable run to the European Championship semi-finals in 2016.

But the pair impressed as the Dragons dug in to keep Turkey at bay during the second half in Baku, including striker Burak Yilmaz, who last season scored 16 goals in 28 appearances as Lille won Ligue 1.

Discussing the clean sheet, Mepham said: "It’s the thing that we pride ourselves on.

"The attackers up the other end want to get the goals and as defenders we 100 per cent take pride in clean sheets.

"For me and Joe, we’re fairly inexperienced at this level, but it shows we’ve got a very good partnership and hopefully we can keep that up going forward now."

And boss Page was impressed by the performance from the 23-year-old duo.

He said: "I thought Aaron (Ramsey) was exceptional, Gareth (Bale) showed character after missing the penalty. Obviously everybody wants to talk about the big names, but the other lads, the other nine I thought were outstanding.

"I thought the two centre-backs were exceptional. These are lads that, one is playing Championship football and the other is not playing domestic football in the Premier League.

"It’s a big test for them to come in and play against good opposition. I thought Meps and I thought Joe Rodon were outstanding."