Azerbaijan v Wales preview

Toshack's men hope to keep slender hopes alive in Baku

Last updated: 6th June 2009

Azerbaijan v Wales preview

Toshack: Turning to youth

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Wales will hope to keep their slender hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup alive when they take on Azerbaijan in Baku on Saturday.

John Toshack's side's dreams of reaching South Africa next year are as good as over following defeats to Finland and Germany, respectively, in their last qualifiers.

And Wales are therefore set to turn to youth in Group 4 as focus switches to the 2012 European Championship, while there are also a host of injury problems.

Toshack's men raised morale with a recent friendly victory over Estonia, but their manager has admitted that the forthcoming trip to the Tofig Bakhramov Stadium will prove an eye-opener.

Injury problems

Wales are missing captain Craig Bellamy (knee), midfielder Simon Davies (foot) and defender James Collins (calf).

Chris Gunter is set to move to right-back as a replacement for injured Tottenham team-mate Gareth Bale. Neal Eardley looks set to play at left-back.

Defender Rhys Williams has decided to represent Australia, having won 10 Under 21 caps, while Wales Carl Robinson has retired.

West Ham's Jack Collison is missing after aggravating his long-standing knee injury in the win against Estonia.

Azerbaijan sit fifth in the group with only one point, a goalless draw with Liechtenstein last September, having failed to win a match.