Cautious approach from Hughes
Friday, September 26, 2003
Article summary
Wales have named a strong squad for their final qualifier but Mark Hughes is looking to the play-offs.
Article body
Second place likely
The Serbo-Montenegrins will travel to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the fixture on 11 October. Hughes, who has given a chance to Crewe Alexandra FC midfield player David Vaughan and Aston Villa FC defender Rob Edwards, considers it almost certain that his side will finish second behind Italy in Group 9.
Suspension fear
Wales will miss out on automatic qualification unless Italy fail to beat Azerbaijan and the likes of Andy Melville, Robert Page and Mark Pembridge could be left out to protect them from possible bookings that would rule them out of November's play-offs. However, Hughes does have Craig Bellamy, Mark Delaney and Robbie Savage available again after suspension.
Being careful
Hughes said: "You have to say we're probably looking at the play-offs now. With this in mind I will select a side to face Serbia accordingly. I feel it's imperative we have all our senior players available for the play-off matches in November. It's also important to return to winning ways and I will select a suitable lineup to beat Serbia."
Wales squad
Coyne, Crossley, Jones, Ward, Barnard, Bellamy, Blake, Davies, Delaney, Earnshaw, Edwards, Gabbidon, Giggs, Hartson, Johnson, Melville, Oster, Page, Pembridge, Roberts, Robinson, Savage, Speed, Symons, Taylor, Trollope, Vaughan, Weston, Williams.
