COLIN Montgomerie will seek some Welsh help at next year's Ryder Cup in a bid to get the natives onside.

Europe's captain for the 2010 event at Celtic Manor has unveiled plans to have at least one Welshman as part of his team, with Phillip Price emerging as a possible contender.

Price famously beat Phil Mickelson in the singles as Europe triumphed at The Belfry in his one Ryder Cup appearance seven years ago.

And Montgomerie says the Pontypridd-born player could have a role in his backroom team if he does not qualify for the team.

"I think Ian Woosnam did the right thing in Ireland (in 2006) by having an Irishman, Des Smyth, as one of his assistant captains," said the Scot.

"He was fortunate that a quarter of his team — Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley — were Irish anyway.

"I might not have that in Wales next year and if I don't have a Welsh representative on the course, I would like to have someone in the background because I think that will help us. You have got to remember that 65 or 70 per cent of the spectators will be Welsh."

Price, who lives in Newport and is a member of the Twenty Ten course, looks unlikely to qualify to play in a second Ryder Cup as he is currently ranked 207th in Europe.

"We all know how well he did as a player in 2002," Montgomerie said.

"If he does not make the team on merit, he would be a potential candidate to be on our staff."

Bradley Dredge is viewed as the Welshman most likely to make Montgomerie's 12-man playing team, although his place is far from guaranteed.