"I want them to forget the Champions League and Premiership and deliver for us, they are crucial," said Toshack. "I can set the side up with players from the lower divisions, but I want these three to come up with the goods." Wales face the Republic of Ireland at Dublin's Croke Park on 24 March and San Marino in Cardiff on 28 March. "We are very aware of the history of Croke Park and what the game means to the Irish people, we will be respectful, and I will explain to the lads how important and emotional this will be," said Toshack.
The Wales boss will be struggling to name an experienced central defence in the Dublin cauldron, with Mark Delaney a long-term casualty. West Ham centre-backs Danny Gabbidon and James Collins have been named in Wales' 26-man squad, but both have been out injured since January with Gabbidon unlikely to feature in the upcoming games. "I have spoken to Collins and he seems very upbeat, he's been training with the first team at West Ham and could be involved at Blackburn on Saturday," said Toshack. "But I have also spoken to Danny and he does not sound as confident. He had a little setback last week following his very serious groin problems and has not been able to start training as soon as he would have liked.
"At the moment I am not at all confident about him. The pair have had a very difficult season with West Ham being in such trouble. "Maybe it would do them good to get a break from all that by joining up with Wales and meeting a few old mates. We will have to see." Gabbidon himself said: "I just want to get back to training as quickly as possible and then I'll see where I am. "I have got the internationals in mind and if I can get back for those two games, which are big games for us, that would be good." | |||||
