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Wales Sweat Over Earnshaw

Submitted by Neville Nixon on Mon, 05/09/2005 - 15:06.

Striker Rob Earnshaw is expected to recover from injury to start for Wales in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland in Warsaw.
"It could be a problem for us, but we've got three days for it to settle," said Wales assistant manager Roy Evans.
With John Hartson suspended and Craig Bellamy injured, Earnshaw is the only available out-and-out striker.
Defender James Collins could also start ahead of Rob Page, but Ben Thatcher's ankle has not recovered in time.
The West Ham youngster made his first display of the season as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 loss to England on Saturday, and boss John Toshack has hinted he could be ready for the full 90 minutes.
Defensive trio Richard Duffy, Sam Ricketts and David Partridge all picked up knocks during Saturday's match but have been given the all-clear along.

Simon Davies, who was replaced by Earshaw after 70 minutes in Cardiff, and Jason Koumas have also been passed fit.
Cardiff City midfielder Koumas is another who could have forced his way into the starting line-up after impressing as a substitute.

He admits to being short on match fitness after a late start to his pre-season training, and a slight groin strain hampered his preparations last week.
Wales have now failed to score in their last four matches, but Evans believes Earnshaw could be the man to break that run.
"He hasn't quite done it in terms of the last few games - none of the strikers have - but we know what great scoring ability he's got," said Evans.
"He's a really bouncy character, got plenty of pace, and I'm sure if he gets his chance he's going to grab it with both hands.
"And that's what we're looking for now - we're looking for people to put pressure on the players in the team and for the guys in the Under-21s to pressure on the people in the squad."
Toshack added youngster Joe Ledley to the senior squad before the England match and may again dip into the Under-21s for Poland.
"There are one or two players with a few niggles, so we will need to take a look at them before we decide what to do," Toshack said.

Wales squad to play Poland in Warsaw on 7 September:

Coyne (Burnley), Jones (Wolves), Price (Ipswich), J Collins (West Ham), Duffy (Portsmouth), Edwards (Wolves), Gabbidon (West Ham), Page (Coventry), Partridge (Bristol City), Ricketts (Swansea), Roberts (Tranmere), Thatcher (Man City), Davies (Everton), Fletcher (West Ham), Koumas (West Brom), Robinson (Sunderland), Vaughan (Crewe), Williams (West Ham), Ledley (Cardiff), Earnshaw (West Brom), Giggs (Man Utd).


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