Wales are expected to confirm later today that John Hartson will not be joining up with their squad for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff against Cyprus.
Wales boss John Toshack contacted the West Bromwich Albion striker yesterday to discuss the 31-year-old's availability, after he formally told the FA of Wales a fortnight ago that he was prepared to come out of international retirement.
He was not considered for Saturday's humiliating 5-1 home defeat by Slovakia at the Millennium Stadium because neither player nor manager believed he was fit enough.
Hartson, who spent the weekend working as a TV pundit in Scotland, has played just 45 minutes of football in three weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Toshack watched that short run-out in West Brom's home win over Leeds United 10 days ago and then had a lengthy chat about the future with Hartson, who has won 51 caps and retired in February from international football.
His last appearance for his country was the 1-0 friendly defeat to Cyprus in Limassol last November.
But the end product of Sunday's discussions with Toshack are believed to be that Hartson still does not consider himself fit enough for Wales duty and will be best served playing in a reserve match later this week.
Hartson will remain in Toshack's thoughts, but it is believed that he favours continuing his youth policy and may well give Wigan Athletic striker David Cotterill his first competitive starting role for his country.
The 18-year-old has won six caps, but his only previous start was in a friendly international against Paraguay in May.
Wales have also virtually ruled out any chance of midfielder Carl Fletcher being fit. The Crystal Palace man joined up with the squad on Friday after treatment at Selhurst Park for an ankle problem.
But he is still having trouble with the injury and Wales are mindful that Palace do not want any risks taken with their player.
