FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING GROUP FOUR
WALES V FINLAND
Venue:
Millennium Stadium
Date:
Saturday, 28 March
Kick-off:
1500 GMT
Coverage:
Full commentary on BBC Radio Wales and online, live text commentary online and score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and online
 Defender Collins has spent a lot of time on the sidelines
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West Ham defender James Collins is fit for Wales' World Cup qualifiers with Finland and Germany after passing a fitness test.
The 25-year-old centre-back has not played for the Hammers since injuring a hamstring in the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Bolton on 21 February.
Collins trained separately from the rest of the Wales squad on Tuesday.
"It's great news for John Toshack and the team," said former Wales international striker Iwan Roberts.
"I think it's the kick start they need to go and get two results from these two vital games.
"He is pivotal in defence and he's the most experienced defender we've got. His experience will be crucial."
Wales and Tottenham defender Chris Gunter added: "We are a better team with James Collins in it.
"He has been on fire for West Ham and it is a shame he got injured but hopefully he will come back and put in a great performance."
Collins returned to the Wales fold in October last year after making a speedy recovery from serious knee ligament damage that had been expected to keep him sidelined for another two to three months.
He put in solid performances in the qualifier against Germany and friendly with Denmark and Gunter hopes he can return in time for Finland and do the same again.
Gunter said: "The way he performed in Germany and in the friendly against Denmark last year, shows he can come in without much game time for his club and perform to a high level."
Wales have already been boosted by the news that captain Craig Bellamy came through a full training session unscathed.
The 29-year-old only returned to action on Sunday after three weeks out with a knee injury.
The Manchester City striker made a 25-minute appearance from the substitutes' bench in the 1-0 win over Sunderland.
Former Norwich and Wolves striker Roberts said Collins and Bellamy's fitness was a much-needed boost for Wales and manager John Toshack.
"It's about time John Toshack has had a bit of luck with injuries," said Roberts.
"For once, I think the gods are looking down on us."
Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley and Swansea defender Ashley Williams took part in a lighter training session on Tuesday, which will please their respective club managers, who have raised concerns over the number of games they have played this season.
Wales are already without Gavin Williams, who has withdrawn with a calf injury.
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The Bristol City midfielder was hoping to win his first Wales cap for three and a half years after being called up by manager John Toshack.
Peterborough defender Craig Morgan is also out after suffering a foot injury.
Wigan Athletic playmaker Jason Koumas is also included in the squad.
Koumas, an influential creative figure in Toshack's Wales teams, has been included, despite being out of action for Wigan since 7 February.
The experienced Toronto midfielder Carl Robinson has also won a call, even though the Major League Soccer season has not started.
Midfielder Jack Collison (knee) and centre-back and fellow West Ham player Danny Gabbidon (back and groin) are out.
Oldham's Neal Eardley and Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams have been released to the Under-21 side.
Wales 24-man squad to face Finland on 28 March and Germany on 1 April: Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull), Owain Fon Williams (Stockport), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), James Collins (West Ham), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby), Sam Ricketts (Hull), Ashley Williams (Swansea), Simon Davies (Fulham), David Edwards (Wolves), Carl Fletcher (Plymouth), Owain Tudur Jones (Swindon), Jason Koumas (Wigan), Joe Ledley (Cardiff), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Carl Robinson (Toronto), Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), David Cotterill (Sheffield United), Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Ched Evans (Manchester City), Sam Vokes (Wolves).
Finland squad: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton), Niki Maenpaa (Den Bosch), Veli Lampi (Zurich), Hannu Tihinen (Zurich), Sami Hyypia (Liverpool), Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen), Toni Kallio (Fulham), Niklas Moisander (AZ Alkmaar), Markus Heikkinen (Rapid Vienna), Teemu Tainio (Sunderland), Roman Eremenko (Dynamo Kiev), Joonas Kolkka (NAC Breda), Mika Vayrynen (Heerenveen), Roni Porokara (Orebro SK), Daniel Sjolund (Djurgardens), Jonatan Johansson (Hibernian), Jari Litmanen (FC Lahti), Mikael Forssell (Hannover 96), Shefki Kuqi (Crystal Palace), Alexei Eremenenko jr (FC Saturn).
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