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Wales captain Ashley Williams confident World Cup tide is turning in their favour

Wales captain Ashley Williams believes the team don't have to win all four remaining World Cup Qualifiers to reach Russia
Image: Wales captain Ashley Williams believes the team don't have to win all four remaining World Cup Qualifiers to reach Russia

Wales captain Ashley Williams is adamant the team's momentum is changing ahead of their crucial final four World Cup Qualifying games.

Wales are four points behind leaders Serbia and Republic of Ireland in Group D and host Austria on Saturday evening at the Cardiff City Stadium, live on Sky Sports Football, knowing defeat will dent their claims of reaching Russia next summer.

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However, Williams, who has led Wales in all six of their qualifiers, believes the tide is turning in the favour of Chris Coleman's side after their draw with Serbia in June - a result achieved without star-man Gareth Bale.

"We haven't had momentum in this campaign and that's been frustrating," Williams said.

"But I do feel it's changed after the Serbia game. It was still a draw, but it felt like a good draw. It felt like the start then.

Williams has led Wales in all six World Cup Qualifying games
Image: Williams has led Wales in all six World Cup Qualifying games

"If we can win this one, then we can keep this momentum going for the last three games.

"That will be the plan, to pick up a bit of steam to finish the campaign."

Bale is set to return to the Wales team for the arrival of Austria though the team will be without Joe Allen and Neil Taylor who are suspended.

Bale will return to the line-up after he missed Wales' draw with Serbia June
Image: Bale will return to the line-up after he missed Wales' draw with Serbia June

Despite this, the Wales skipper is confident his side can pick up all three points on Saturday but isn't convinced they have to win all of their remaining four qualifying games to reach Russia next year.

"Everyone's saying we must win, so we understand it's quite simple now - we must win," Williams added.

"I'm not sure if we need to win all four, but we certainly want to get off the mark against Austria.

Aaron Ramsey is set to feature for Wales
Image: Aaron Ramsey is set to feature for Wales

"They are a very talented team with some good individual players, they pass it well and their movement is very good.

"But we're not too worried about Austria because we feel if we play our game, we can win."

Wales face Austria on Saturday evening at the Cardiff City Stadium live on Sky Sports Football at 19:45.

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