MIDFIELDER Joe Allen is hoping he can use a largely frustrating season at club level to his advantage when Wales head to France for Euro 2016 this summer.

Allen has been in and out of the Liverpool side under Jurgen Klopp this term but was a key part of Wales’ qualification for their first major finals since 1958.

Despite not featuring regularly at Anfield since Klopp’s arrival last autumn, Allen is keen to use his lack of game time in a positive way going forward.

“I guess the silver lining having not played that much this season is going into the Euros I’m hoping I have fresh legs and I can peak a bit later than a lot of other players,” he said.

“For any player in the squad, having the Euros waiting at the end of the season has been amazing for everyone.

“Everyone has pushed themselves, whether it’s subconsciously or not, that little bit harder.

“Everyone has got their eye on making sure they have a good season going into the Euros.”

Allen and his Wales teammates have been getting themselves ready for Thursday's friendly with Northern Ireland in Cardiff and their trip to Ukraine on Monday.

And when he looks back on his international debut against Estonia in May 2009, the former Swansea City star sees a marked difference between then and now in terms of the atmosphere around the squad.

“When I compare the squads now to when I first used to join up, I don’t think it’s a secret that it’s completely different and the spirit is 10 times better,” he added.

“As a young player at that stage of your career you are just honoured to get the chance.

“But, to be honest, that opportunity came around for a lot of players a bit sooner because of the disappointments, so from a selfish point of view, maybe it has worked out better for a lot of the lads here.

“If you look at the age of our boys, like Gareth (Bale), Aaron (Ramsey) and Chris Gunter, they’ve all got so many caps for players their age, and that experience and maybe the chance we’ve had to grow as a team and move forward has been a really positive experience.”