Wales wait on Giggs injury

Despite being given the go-ahead to play by Uefa, the Manchester United winger faces an anxious wait to find out if he is fit enough to play after picking up a shin injury.

The Russian Football Union (RFU) had wanted Giggs banned for elbowing defender Vadim Evseev during Saturday's first-leg 0-0 draw in Moscow and lodged an official protest to Uefa.

The footage was received by the governing body by e-mail on Tuesday, but this gave Giggs no chance to state his case in writing, as required by Uefa rules.

Giggs' case will be heard by Uefa on 4 December, when its disciplinary panel will also consider charges against the RFU relating to the use of fireworks and missiles by Russian fans at Saturday's game.

It was not a deliberate strike by Ryan Wales manager Mark Hughes

Charges of improper conduct usually result in a nominal fine, rather than the hefty ban that could have resulted had Giggs faced trial for violent conduct.

But the Welsh Football Association still intends to appeal on Giggs' behalf and "vigorously defend" him.

"We are clearly not happy that the decision seems to have been made on email evidence," said FAW match secretary Mark Evans.

"We would want Uefa to look at the whole match, certainly the incidents leading up to the clash with the Russian player."

RFU president Vyacheslav Koloskov said that Giggs "violated the principles of fair play" and should have been sent off, but the FAW insists Giggs was the victim of extreme provocation.

Russia will have to answer for the conduct of their fans in Moscow

The winger said he suffered "the worst tackle I have had to contend with at any time during my career", when he was clattered by Evseev seconds before the clash which upset the Russians.

"The tackle Ryan suffered was an absolute disgrace and he is fortunate not to have been very seriously injured," said FAW secretary general David Collins.

Wales manager Mark Hughes said: "Ryan has only been able to do a light warm-up in training since. He has lacerations right down his shin, and there is always the danger of infection."

Sending the tape to Uefa can only help Wales, because the Russian fell to the ground about the same time as Giggs got back to the hotel!! From James Johnston Join the debate in The Box

TV evidence does show Giggs using his elbow, but there was no connection with Evseev's face and the player then theatrically threw himself to the floor.

Giggs insisted: "I was just using my arm to brush him away. The tackle beforehand was dreadful, one of the worst I have ever received."

Hughes added: "It was not a challenge or a deliberate strike by Ryan, he was trying to free himself from the guy behind him."