Depleted Wales Set For Scotland Test
Wales' Injury Woes Continue Ahead Of Friendly
The Swansea defender has never led the Swans out on to the field but is preparing to lead his country in what will undoubtedly be the proudest moment of his career.
Craig Bellamy, James Collins, Chris Gunter, Jack Collison, Boaz Myhill, David Vaughan and Simon Davies are injured and there are fresh fears surrounding Robert Earnshaw (calf) and Andy king (wrist), who were only called up as replacements themselves, leading up to the first international to be held at the new multi-million pound Cardiff City Stadium.
The recent international retirements of Carl Fletcher, Carl Robinson, Jason Koumas and Paul Parry have also added extra pressure to an already threadbare squad.
Toshack is under immense pressure from the Welsh public after a disappointing World Cup Qualifying campaign saw Wales finish fourth in Group Four behind Germany, Russia and Finland. The only wins of their campaign came over Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan.
Many have called for the manager's head but the Football Association of Wales (FAW) remain adamant that Toshack is the man to take Wales' young hopefuls to the next level and qualify for their first International Tournament since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Wales Short of Premiership Quality
Wales' latest squad again shows the lack of top quality professionals to choose from. Of the current group training for Saturday only eight ply their trade in the Premier League but it could also be argued at seven as Sam Vokes has returned to Championship club Swansea City on loan to try and get some game time under his belt.
Of those only four, West Ham's Danny Gabbidon, Bolton's Sam Ricketts and David Edwards and Wayne Hennessey at Wolves, play week in, week out.
It is a problem Toshack has always bemoaned but one that a country with a population the size of Wales has come to accept.
Aaron Ramsey, Wales' hottest property, is on the verge of Arse Wenger's flirtatious Arsenal side and many believe it is time for him and his fellow starlets to stand up and be counted. Nobody likes to see such pressures thrown on to the shoulders of those so young but Wales have no other options.
Old Rivals Set To Lock Horns In A New Setting
Saturday afternoon will be the one hundred and fourth meeting between the old rivals. Scotland provided the first ever opposition for Wales back on 25 March, 1876, defeating the Welsh 4-0 in Glasgow.
Since then Scotland have won 60 encounters with Wales only getting the better of their opponents on 20 occasions. However, a Robert Earnshaw hat trick helped Wales to a 4-0 victory the last time these two countries met at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in February 2004.
Wales will be hoping the same luck follows them to this new arena in the same City. Scotland are carrying their own injury problems and haven't been in great form themselves recently. Manager George Burley also finds himself under pressure after Scotland's failure to qualify for the finals held in South Africa next summer.
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