Toshack fears for fitness of big four - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Toshack fears for fitness of big four

Wales boss John Toshack is scared his World Cup plans will be wrecked by the long-term injury absences of four of his top stars.

He has already put a May deadline on knowing whether he will have his key men for the opening qualifiers against Russia and Germany at the beginning of next season.

Missing: Bellamy is one of four players Toshack is concerned about

Toshack will send out an experimental side in Luxembourg on Wednesday for a friendly that will give him the chance to run the rule over a host of fringe players.

But it is his three West Ham players — Craig Bellamy (groin), Danny Gabbidon (groin) and James Collins (knee) — plus youngster Gareth Bale (ankle) at Tottenham, who are giving him serious concerns.

Toshack has revealed that before he names his squad for friendlies in May against Iceland and Holland, he hopes to have held talks with their club managers over their fitness prospect for the opening qualifiers for South Africa 2010.

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