BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Wales

Wales manager Mark Hughes has kept faith with the same players that won in Finland for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Italy on 16 October.

A 2-0 victory in Helsinki was another confidence booster for Wales and hopes are high of securing at least a point against Group Nine favourites Italy.

The Azzuri beat Azerbaijan in their opening match, but their performance was far from convincing.

Hughes, who has agreed terms on a new lucrative contract to keep him in charge until 2006, believes this is the best time to face the Italians.

Hughes close to signing new deal

We're up against one of the top sides in world football

Wales manager Mark Hughes

He said: "We always viewed the Italy game as the big test. It would have been difficult is we hadn't got a positive result in Helsinki.

"But we've got that result now, we've got the points on the board so we go into the game in good shape.

"And I feel the way the players are approaching games at the moment will stand us in good stead."

Hughes added that he was also able to prepare more thoroughly for international matches now that he has retired from playing.

His work over the past year, a period where Wales have gone unbeaten, has also greatly impressed Hughes' employers.

The Football Association of Wales is ready to offer Hughes a pay rise that will almost double his current salary to �150,000 a year.

Despite the win against Finland earlier this month, Hughes will probably make one change to the starting line-up.

Craig Bellamy has now regained full fitness after knee surgery and is likely to force his way off the substitutes bench.

Wales goalkeeper Paul Jones
Under pressure: Jones has a fight on his hands
Goalkeeper Paul Jones has lost his place in the Southampton team since the Finland match, but Hughes is unlikely to drop him.

Sheffield United's Robert Page could also force his way back into the side at Daniel Gabbidon's expense.

Page was a late withdrawal from the Finland game, but he returned to first-team action last Saturday.

Tickets for the match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium sold out in a week as a new wave of optimism swells among Welsh football supporters.

Hughes, though, has warned his players about over confidence and complacency.

"We have to realise that we're up against one of the top sides in world football.

"We have to understand that they will cause us problems.

"But we've also got players that can make it very difficult for the best teams in the world."

Wales have beaten Italy only once in their previous seven meetings.

Wales squad:
P Jones (Southampton), M Crossley (Middlesbrough), D Ward (Nottingham Forest), D Coyne (Grimsby), D Barnard (Grimsby), M Delaney (Aston Villa), R Weston (Cardiff), D Gabbidon (Cardiff), R Page (Sheffield United), A Melville (Fulham), P Trollope (Northampton), A Johnson (West Brom), G Speed (Newcastle), C Robinson (Portsmouth), M Pembridge (Everton), S Davies (Tottenham), R Savage (Birmingham), J Koumas (West Brom), P Evans (Bradford), J Hartson (Celtic), R Earnshaw (Cardiff), G Taylor (Burnley), C Bellamy (Newcastle), N Blake (Wolves), R Giggs(Manchester United).


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