Toshack unveils Welsh selection

By Trevor Haylett

Wales manager John Toshack has selected four new faces in a 20-man squad for his first game, the 9 February friendly with Hungary in Cardiff.

Fresh quartet
In come Sunderland AFC centre-back Danny Collins, West Ham United FC midfielder Gavin Williams, Sam Ricketts of Swansea City FC and David Partridge of Motherwell FC for their first call-ups. Toshack, who began his second spell as manager after replacing Mark Hughes in November, has left out goalkeeper Paul Jones, who has won 42 caps, as he opts to take a look at the next generation of Welsh players.

Costly retirements
Since their last match, a 3-2 home defeat by Poland, Gary Speed has retired as have fellow experienced internationals Andrew Melville, Mark Pembridge and Andy Johnson. In addition, Toshack has lost defender Mark Delaney because of a knee injury. The reverse against Poland left Wales fifth in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 6.

Wales squad
Coyne (Burnley FC), Crossley (Fulham FC), Edwards(Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Weston (Cardiff City FC), Collins (Sunderland AFC), Gabbidon (Cardiff City FC), Page (Cardiff City FC), Partridge (Motherwell FC), Ricketts (Swansea City FC), G Roberts (Tranmere Rovers FC), Davies (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Fletcher (West Ham United FC), Koumas (West Bromwich Albion FC), Robinson (Sunderland AFC), Giggs (Manchester United FC), Savage (Blackburn Rovers FC), Williams (West Ham United FC), Bellamy (Newcastle United FC), Earnshaw (West Bromwich Albion FC), Hartson (Celtic FC).