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Monday, 18 November, 2002, 14:00 GMT
Gabbidon boost for Wales
Danny Gabbidon
Gabbidon has grown in stature in central defence
Danny Gabbidon has passed a late fitness test on his back and will travel to Azerbaijan for Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier.

The Cardiff City defender missed his club's game with Tranmere on Saturday and it is still uncertain whether he will cleared to play on Wednesday.

Gabbidon's presence will come as a boost for manager Mark Hughes after seven of his first-choice squad were forced to pull out.


We will give Danny further treatment but I don't know yet whether he will be fit to play
Mark Hughes
Strikers Neil Roberts (Wigan) and James Thomas (Swansea), plus Reading defender Adrian Williams have been called up as cover.

Gabbidon has grown in stature at international level to become a key element in the Wales defence.

Since his surprise call-up for the Argentina friendly in February he has taken the step up from second-division football to the international arena easily in his stride.

His back injury remains a worry, though, and it will not be helped by the seven-hour flight to central Asia.

Hughes said: "Danny is certainly fit to travel. We will give him further treatment right up until the match but I don't know yet whether he will be fit to play.

"Losing Robbie Savage is a bad blow but then you almost expect to lose players from squads like this.

"It could have been worse. We could have lost more because so many of the lads had to play on Sunday.

"But this gives an opportunity for others to come in and do well. We have got cover, the players have a good attitude and they will fit into our system."


Wales squad:
Goalkeepers: Paul Jones (Southampton), Mark Crossley (Middlesbrough), Darren Ward (Nottm Forest).
Defenders: Danny Coyne (Grimsby), Andy Melville (Fulham), Robert Page (Sheff Utd), Mark Delaney (Aston Villa), Darren Barnard (Grimsby), Danny Gabbidon, Rhys Weston (both Cardiff), Adrian Williams (Reading).
Midfielders: Gary Speed (Newcastle), Simon Davies (Tottenham), Carl Robinson (Portsmouth), Paul Trollope (Northampton), Paul Evans (Bradford), Ryan Giggs (Man Utd).
Strikers: John Hartson (Celtic), Robert Earnshaw (Cardiff), Neil Roberts (Wigan), James Thomas (Swansea).

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Wales boss Mark Hughes
"We want our good run to continue"
Wales' Ryan Giggs
"Our preparation will be tested"
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