Hughes faces new Wales injury worries

Wales manager Mark Hughes is already facing an injury crisis as he begins preparations for the Euro 2004 play-off first leg against…

Wales manager Mark Hughes is already facing an injury crisis as he begins preparations for the Euro 2004 play-off first leg against Russia in Moscow this weekend.

Hughes was unable to name Craig Bellamy (knee) and Rhys Weston (ankle) in his original squad and now has seven players under treatment.

But the boost for Wales is that Birmingham's Robbie Savage is expected to be fit despite reporting to Cardiff with a sore hamstring after playing against Wolves on Saturday in his comeback following an Achilles problem.

Savage said: "The gaffer Steve Bruce told me I could travel down, and I believe I will be fit for the match. It is nothing to do with my Achilles, that is OK.

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"Steve had a chat with me and understands how important these two Wales games are to me. There was never any thought that Birmingham would stop me reporting."

Sheffield United's Robert Page (chipped ankle bone) and Spurs midfielder Simon Davies (groin) both reported to the Welsh training camp and will be sent back to their clubs for treatment.

Fulham's Mark Pembridge is struggling with a calf problem and is almost certainly out of Saturday's game while Reading defender Adi Williams has had a scan on a knee injury and is unlikely to travel.

Nathan Blake (hamstring) and Neil Roberts (flu) were also unable to train today but are expected to fly to Moscow on Thursday.

Hughes hopes that Davies and Pembridge will be able to join up with the squad on Sunday when Wales return to Cardiff from Moscow, with a view to playing in next Wednesday's second leg at the Millennium Stadium.