Wales to blood youngsters before qualifiers

John Toshack plans to accelerate his youth policy as he prepares Wales for the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

"We are rebuilding and we hope to get better as the tournament moves on," he said. "We are no illusions as teams from pot five do not usually qualify."

Toshack intends blooding teenagers before they meet Germany, the Republic of Ireland and the Czech Republic in Wales’ qualification group.

The manager has written to 37 players, imploring them to show the character and commitment he feels is needed to give their country any chance of qualifying.

Wales have three fixtures this season — against Paraguay, the Basque national side and Trinidad and Tobago. That final match on May 27th will he played in Graz - and another in August completes Wales’ build-up before the group matches start in September.

When the squad to face Paraguay is announced in a fortnight it is expected Derby’s 17-year-old Lewin Nyatanga will be called up to become Wales’ youngest ever international. Toshack is also set to bring in under-21s David Cotterill, Joe Ledley, Owain Tudor Jones and Mark Jones.

"We are going to have to be at our very, very best to qualify," he predicted. "Whoever we play we will have to run harder, particularly the younger lads. They will have to come in, and it is important that when they do they realise they haven’t ‘made it’.

"Some of them will not be ready. But they must realise they have the chance of a lifetime and run harder than ever and not think they have made it at 19 years of age. Their enthusiasm and work rate will be needed as never before.

"When the squad is named for Paraguay there will be half-a-dozen who were in the under-21s last season. We must realise there is a big gap between where they are playing and the top level. But the sooner they go into my side the sooner they will learn and be ready."

PA