Wales football team news

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Wales football news - August 2002.


Usual troubles. A week before the big match the growing anticipation for this long awaited start of the Euro campaign has been tinged with some worries as usual. Robert Page has withdrawn from the squad following his injury in the opening match of the season, and Mark Pembridge was withdrawn from the midweek game after being taken ill and is a possible concern. These added to the news that Mark Bowen will not be in Finland and that there are serious doubts about his continued future as Mark Hughes' number 2. Eric Harrison has also been instructed not to travel because of thrombosis. Surely not the run up that Mark Hughes would have liked but then again would it be Wales without these little hitches? Friday, August 30th 2002.

Fulfil the promise. Mark Hughes believes that it is now time for all his players to fulfil the promise they have shown. After naming the squad for the Finland game in Helsinki, he feels confident that after going five games unbeaten, which is the best run since 1993, his players can produce on the pitch in the games that matter. "We are now getting respect from teams, particularly after the victory over Germany. We have had a good period of preparation, it's gone very well, but now we have to focus our minds on the real job which is about to start." - Mark Hughes Saturday, August 24th 2002.

Ready for Italy. Craig Bellamy looks certain to miss the first Euro 2004 qualifier against Finland. Bellamy has taken longer than expected to recover from his knee injury. Manager Mark Hughes has spoken with Craig and has told him that he should be ready for the Italy game in October. "We hope he will be available for Finland, but it may be touch and go with that game unfortunately, but certainly we would hope to have him back for the Italy game." - Mark Hughes. Sunday, August 18th 2002.