Time for Toshack's Welsh rookies to suffer

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'With the people we have missing and the selection problems we have, it's going to be really tough,' he said.

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Tough' assignment: Toshack with assistant Roy Evans

'We have to shield the players as best we can by the way we play. People will have to go flat out from the off until they can't give any more.

'But these really are the best days of a player's life. To go out and play for your country on a big stage like this against the world's best players, it's a chance to test themselves.

'Of course. though, they will suffer and it will be hard work.'

Toshack may include seven players under 21, with four teenagers — Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga, Neil Eardley and David Cotterill — all in contention for this Euro 2008 qualifier.

Since Wales arrived in Germany, Carl Fletcher has struggled with a foot injury, while up front Jermaine Easter may be on his own if Robert Earnshaw, who has had a virus, and Freddy Eastwood (knee) are not fit.

The winners of Group D — either Germany or Czech Republic — will automatically be seeded for next year's tournament. That is the reward for the best- performing side in the qualifying stages.

However, as the other three seeds are Austria, Switzerland and Greece, there has been speculation that the Germans' surprise 3-0 defeat to the Czech Republic last month was orchestrated so they would stand a better chance of meeting one of the three seeds by finishing second.

None is regarded as a powerhouse in European football. Yet, with the Czechs facing a tricky trip to Cyprus, it seems inconceivable that Germany will lose against such a novice Wales side.

Toshack denied there would be any jiggery-pokery. 'I can't go along with that,' he said. 'I've never known any competitive side — particularly the Germans — go out and think of anything but a win.'

Meanwhile, top medic Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt has alerted Chelsea that Michael Ballack may break down if rushed back too soon.

The doctor contacted the club after the midfielder had two days of treatment with Germany in the build-up to this game.