Wales v Norway preview

Wales manager John Toshack begins his preparations for the 2010 World Cup with a friendly against Norway at Wrexham.

Wales v Norway live on Sky Sports 2 on Wednesday from 7.30pm

Wales manager John Toshack begins his preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign on Wednesday with a friendly against Norway at Wrexham. Toshack believes his side have the capabilities to book a place at the World Cup finals in South Africa in two years' time and he will be eager to make a winning start ahead of Wales' first qualifier with Azerbaijan on 6th September. And having failed to qualify for Euro 2008, the Welsh boss will begin to formulate a plan of action to secure his side a place at the finals of a major international tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup. Norway, though, will be equally keen to forget a Euro 2008 qualifying campaign which ended in failure when they kick-off at the Racecourse Ground.

Injury absences

Toshack has seen Craig Bellamy, David Vaughan and Danny Gabbidon pull out of the squad over the past few days due to injury. And Wales are also without long-term absentees Gareth Bale and James Collins, leaving Toshack looking for alternatives. Fulham midfielder Simon Davies, who has impressed this season, is expected to continue as stand-in skipper in the absence of regular captain Bellamy. Chris Gunter, Carl Fletcher, Jason Koumas, Wayne Hennessey and Lewin Nyatanga are expected to feature, while Freddy Eastwood, Rob Earnshaw and Carl Robinson should also play a part.

Riise start

However, Cardiff starlet Joe Ledley looks set to have to wait to earn his 20th cap as Toshack has hinted the 21-year-old will begin the game on the bench. Norway coach Age Hareide is expected to hand Liverpool defender John Arne Riise, who has fallen out of favour at Anfield, a rare taste of first-team football. Aston Villa's John Carew and Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen are also likely to take a place among Hareide's first XI. Bolton defender Daniel Braaten and new Fulham signings Brede Hangeland and Erik Nevland could also participate.