Monday, August 31, 2009

Davies & Bale to miss Wales game

World Cup 2010 qualifier Group Four - Wales v Russia
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Wednesday, 9 September KO: 1945 BST
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, live text commentary and score updates online and score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live. Live on Sky Sports Extra

Gareth Bale and Simon Davies
Gareth Bale and Simon Davies have both failed to recover from surgery

Simon Davies is set to join Gareth Bale on Wales' injured list for their 2010 World Cup qualifier with Russia.

Fulham midfielder Davies has failed to recover from foot surgery while Tottenham Hotspur full-back Bale has not recovered from knee surgery.

Bale and Davies are set to be the only major absentees for Wales' final home qualifier on Wednesday week.

Captain Craig Bellamy and playmaker Jason Koumas are expected to return to John Toshack's Wales squad.

Danny Gabbidon and James Collins are also set to play their first competitive Wales game together for almost two years.

Boss Toshack hails the West Ham central defensive duo as Wales' "nerve centre" but the pair have not played alongside each other for their country since Wales' goalless draw in Germany in November 2007.

Gabbidon and Collins were partners again in Wales' recent friendly defeat in Montenegro, and Gabbidon's return from 18 months out with complex abdominal problems is a boost for Toshack.

Manchester City striker Bellamy is expected to regain the Wales captaincy from Joe Ledley who has skippered the team while the 30-year-old star has been out with a knee problem.

James Collins and Danny Gabbidon
Collins and Gabbidon will play their first qualifier together for two years

Toshack is a big admirer of Koumas but dropped the talented playmaker when he was not playing regularly for Wigan in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old enigma has missed the last four Wales internationals but, however, has been a regular under Roberto Martinez after the new Lactics boss hailed him a "footballing magician."

Bale underwent knee surgery in June and was expected to return when the Russians visit Cardiff on 9 September.

Davies, meanwhile, had a foot operation in May and has not played a competitive game since April.

The Fulham midfielder has returned to training with his club but is not match fit so the Wales vice-captain is expected not to be named in the Welsh squad to face Russia when Toshack names it on Friday.

Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter (hamstring) and Bristol City centre-back Lewin Nyatanga (virus) are set to miss Wales' Under-21 game with Italy on Friday but should be fit to face the Russians next Wednesday.

ะพ 1:46 AM

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