Wales boss John Toshack has called for big performances from his top stars as he prepares for the Euro 2008 crunch match in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland at the end of the month.
Toshack named a 26-man squad today for the qualifier against the Irish at Croke Park which will be hosting its first soccer match.
West Ham pair James Collins and Danny Gabbidon are both deemed fit to link up with the side. The Hammers defenders have been on the sidelines since January but are close to making their comebacks. Striker Robert Earnshaw is out of contention due to a groin injury but Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs are both included, with Southampton's Gareth Bale also named in the 26-man squad.
West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas, last week named the best player outside the Barclays Premiership, is suspended for the match against Ireland at Croke Park on March 24 but could feature against San Marino four days later.
Toshack said: 'I can set the side up with players from the lower divisions, but I want these three (Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Simon Davies) to come up with the goods.'
Giggs, 33, now has a tough league game at Bolton on the Saturday, followed by a replay with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on the Monday night of international week.
It is a serious dilemma for Toshack, who said: 'I shall just be keeping my fingers crossed. I wonder whether United will view the Bolton game, with them nine points clear at the top, as the most important and use Ryan in that.
'He could then play on the Monday, which really is not in his best interests. He is always nursing himself through these days and if he plays in both games he will certainly not even be considered for training with us until the Thursday before the Dublin game on the Saturday.
"I just have to wait. He is United's player and it is not for me to say whether he should play in two games in three days or not. I can hardly ring up Sir Alex Ferguson and ask him!
Wales squad to play Ireland: Coyne (Burnley), P Jones (QPR), Ward (Sunderland), Bale (Southampton), D Collins (Sunderland), J Collins (West Ham), Duffy (Swansea), S Evans (Wrexham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Morgan (Peterborough), Nyatanga (Barnsley), Ricketts (Hull), Crofts (Gillingham), A Davies (Yeovil), S Davies (Fulham), Edwards (Shrewsbury), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Koumas (West Brom), Ledley (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Bellamy (Liverpool), Cotterill (Wigan), Easter (Wycombe), Giggs (Man Utd), C Llewelyn (Wrexham), Parry (Cardiff).
