Bowen, who is also first team coach at Premiership newcomers Birmingham City, missed Wales' last two matches after the club refused to allow him to join up with the national squad.

Hughes had hoped to find some middle ground with Birmingham manager Steve Bruce so that Bowen would reduce his commitments with Wales.

But Bowen's international days now appear to be over after Bruce said the club could not afford to lose Bowen's services for even a day.

"We will issue a statement later in the week. Basically, I need him here.

"He is essential to me. I cannot have him away from the club.

"Next month, for instance, Wales are away for 10 days. It's bad enough him being away for a day let alone a week."

With Wales enjoying one of their best run of results for 10 years, Bowen is understandably reluctant to sever his Welsh ties.

"I was gutted not being in Finland, but really chuffed by the result and the performance," said Bowen.

"I can't really comment on what is going to happen now, but I have talked to Steve Bruce and he knows how important Wales is to me.

"But I understand that there is a lot of work for me here at Birmingham, certainly at the beginning of the season.

"I just hope something can be worked out so that I can be involved for the next match with Italy."

That second Euro 2004 qualifier on 16 October is already a sell-out at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

And although Bruce is sympathetic to Bowen's plight of missing out at one of the most exciting times in Welsh football history, the Blues manager is standing firm.

Bruce added: "I can understand Mark Bowen's disappointment as he has done a good job with the national side.

"But his allegiance must be to our club. I cannot see any way of him even joining the Welsh a day before a game."