Jonathan Williams's call-up to the senior Wales international squad has left Dougie Freedman and Crystal Palace proud as punch.

The 17-year-old's meteoric rise from academy prospect to senior international was completed on Monday as Gary Speed named him as the replacement for the injured Joe Ledley for the European Championship qualifiers with Switzerland on Friday and Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Until last Tuesday, Williams had not started a league game for Palace but his performances from the start in the 3-1 win over rivals Brighton and 2-2 draw with West Ham, caught the eye of Speed to leave Freedman delighted, if a bit surprised.

"It is fantastic for him and we are very proud," he said.

"It was a surprise to us all as he is still a young player and he has only played a couple of games for us.

"But he has been around the Welsh system and in the U21s for some years and they know of him and, like us, are not afraid to pick him.

"It's a good experience for a young player to be around players of an international level and I hope he will be a big player for them for years to come.

"He has got terrific potential to do it if keeps on working hard.

"He comes from a good family and a good background and is very level headed."

Wales defender Ashley Williams was equally happy to see Williams in the main squad, tweeting: "Great to see Jonny Williams in the squad. Been waxing lyrical about this lad for ages! Top player."

Jonathan Parr (Norway), Mile Jedinak (Australia) and Sean Scannell (Republic of Ireland U21s), have also received international call-ups but in-form Wilfried Zaha was left out of the England U21s and U19s.

"I am not at all surprised he isn't in a squad - he is only 18," added Freedman.

"That is the way it goes sometimes and Wilfried is playing fantastically well at the moment - all of a sudden he is dedicating his life to his profession.

"It is good for him to have a break though - physically it has been very demanding for him and the players.

"I think we have only had one week all season where he haven't played mid-week.

"But this is not a break, we are preparing for the next match."