Montenegro v Wales preview

Toshack: Ready for first qualifier

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Wales begin their latest quest to reach a major tournament with a tricky trip to Montenegro in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier.

John Toshack's side are in Group G and must also face England, Bulgaria and Switzerland in their efforts to qualify for a finals for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.

The two nations met in a friendly just over 12 months ago when Montenegro prevailed 2-1 and a similarly tight encounter is expected on Friday evening.

In the build-up to the game in Podgorica, Toshack has questioned the appointment of Greek referee Anastasios Kakos from Corfu, which is 368 miles from the Montenegro capital.

"The referee, we know, is just from a couple of hundred yards' breaststroke down the river from here, from Corfu," said Toshack. "Uefa have saved on expenses on this one, it's not too far from here.

Team news

Toshack's biggest fitness worry ahead of the game concerns Craig Morgan after the Preston North End defender took a knock to his foot in training on Wednesday.

A late decision will be made on Morgan's availability, while Toshack saw Danny Gabbidon, Darcy Blake, Andrew Crofts and Brian Stock withdraw from his original squad.

Craig Bellamy will lead Wales out and Toshack must decide whether to hand Steve Morison his first competitive appearance after the Millwall striker made his debut in last month's 5-1 friendly win over Luxembourg.

Tottenham Hotspur's in-form midfielder Gareth Bale is back after missing that game, while Toshack must choose between Wayne Hennessey and Boaz Myhill in goal.

Montenegro, meanwhile, are without one of their star performers after Stevan Jovetic was ruled out for between six and eight months.

The Fiorentina playmaker, who scored in the friendly against Wales last year, has suffered a knee injury, but coach Zlatko Kranjcar hopes Montenegro can still start their campaign on a winning note.

Kranjcar. "Jovetic was one of the most important players in my plans.

"It is a different team with and without him, but we have enough quality to get a positive result against Wales. And a positive result is victory; nothing else."