Toshack omits Hartson and Koumas
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 15:12Veteran striker John Hartson and West Brom rebel Jason Koumas have both been omitted from the Wales squad to play the Czech Republic in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Teplice on 2 September.
Manager John Toshack announced the most important squad of his two-year reign so far in Cardiff today.
And it has become clear that when Hartson, 31, met Toshack last week to make himself available for his country again after last season's retirement, it was agreed this next squad was too soon for a comeback.
Toshack, not surprisingly, wants to keep faith with the players who have been working with him for two years.
Hartson's non-selection would therefore underline the fact he will only be used sparingly, or as an emergency inclusion, at the moment.
Koumas, who withdrew at the last moment from the squad which drew with Bulgaria last week because of his lack of fitness and a dispute with West Brom, was not expected to regain his place.
The 26-year-old midfielder has not trained all summer with the Baggies and has now been told by Cardiff - where he was on loan last season - a potential transfer will not go ahead for financial reasons.
Koumas has held clear-the-air talks with Albion boss Bryan Robson but will need to train regularly and regain his fitness before Toshack will consider him again.
Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne has also been left out after only recently returning to action following a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Wales squad to play Czech Republic on Saturday 2 September: Jones (QPR), Brown (Blackburn), Garner (Orient), J Collins (West Ham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Delaney (Aston Villa), Duffy (Portsmouth), Edwards (Wolves), Nyatanga (Derby), Partridge (Bristol City), Ricketts (Hull), Crofts (Gillingham), Davies (Everton), Fletcher (Palace), Robinson (Norwich), Ledley (Cardiff), Vaughan (Crewe), Bellamy (Liverpool), Giggs (Man Utd), Earnshaw (Norwich), Parry (Cardiff).
