Full Time Score From Italy Sep 6, 2003

Italy 4(0) Wales 0(0)
Inzaghi 58,62,69
Del Piero 76 penalty



Savage yellow card out for Wednesday
Buffon reacted to John Hartson which led to a general fracas and Bellamy booked so he will also be out on Wednesday
Mark Delaney yellow card out on Wednesday

Robbie Earnshaw on Jason Koumas off
Andy Johnson on Mark Pembridge off (injured)
Nathan Blake on John Hartson off

Team Against Italy Sep 6, 2003

Paul Jones
Mark Delaney (Centre Back)
Rob Page
Jason Koumas
Gary Speed
Craig Bellamy
Simon Davies
Robbie Savage
Mark Pembridge
Ryan Giggs
John Hartson

No Danny Gabbidon, not even as sub'

Azerbaijan v Finland Sep 6, 2003

Final score from Baku :-

Azerbaijan 1 Finland 2
Ismaylov 88 Tainio 52
Akhmedov s/off 42 Nurmela 74

News in brief - Defensive worries, Record Speed and Vieri fit. Sep 5, 2003

Defnsive worries
Both Danny Gabbidon and Andy Melville sat out last night’s training session at the Sans Siro. Both are rated unlikely starters on Saturday. Kit Symons is also a doubt. This leaves Mark Hughes with only two recognised central defenders in Robert Page and Adrian Williams, though a slight doubt has emerged about Page and Nathan Blake who both have niggling little knocks. "We rested Danny from training last night and will make a decision as late as possible. But the game may have come a bit too soon for him. I will leave it until the last moment." said Hughes

Craig Bellamy came through the training session and if fit is likely to start.

Italy have currently a training session in progress with Vieri taking part in this. more to follow

Record Speed

Gary Speed will equal Dean Saunders' record as Wales' most-capped outfield player when he plays against Italy. But his thoughts are firmly on the Italy game "We are under no illusions as to what a great team they are." said Speed.

Vieri fit
Christian Vieri has told an Italian press conference today that he is fit to play tomorrow.

"Today I have not felt pain and am ready for the game tomorrow."

Vieri blow Sep 4, 2003

Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri has limped out of an Italian training session this afternoon. He appeared to have recovered from a knock to the knee he received at the weekend but 10 minutes into the training session he pulled up sharply and left the field. "I felt a twinge as soon as I kicked the ball and immediately came right off." said Vieri.

A later scan proved inconclusive. Italian team doctor Andrea Ferretti said he remained hopeful that Vieri would be fit to play on Saturday.

Team News Sep 4, 2003

The squad flew out from Cardiff around 1pm. Craig Bellamy was on the plane and Daniel Gabbidon says he has responded well to treatment and is confident of being fit for Saturday. Everyone was on the plane so hopefully Mark Hughes will have all his first choice players ready for selection.

The team practice tonight at the San Siro.

Italy Team News Sep 4, 2003

Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni has been forced to make changes to his team following injury to several key players.

Alessandro Del Piero will now play up front instead of Francesco Totti. He will fill the role behind Filippo Inzaghi and Christian Vieri as Trapattoni chooses to play 3 strikers.

Player Fitness News Sep 3, 2003

DANNY GABBIDON
Has been suffering with a bruised heel. He has improved steadily during the week and we are optimistic that with further treatment he will be able to be considered for selection.

ANDY MELVILLE
The positive report from the Fulham club doctor on Andy's foot injury has been confirmed. Andy completed a training session this morning (Wednesday) with little difficulty. He does have some soreness from the injury and will continue to receive treatment. He is also expected to be considered for the match.

CRAIG BELLAMY
Craig joined the squad on Monday evening. Mark Hughes and the Medical Staff assessed his situation, and mindful of their duty of care, decided that he would not train on Tuesday as the detailed written report from an independent specialist on his knee condition was not received until later that day. Once the positive details were received he was free to train today (Wednesday). Craig completed a full session and said that he 'felt better than he had done for many months'. Once more, he is expected to be available for selection.

info courtesy of FAW

News in brief Sep 3, 2003

Bellamy warning

Newcastle United chief operating officer Russell Cushing has warned Wales over the fitness of Craig Bellamy. Newcastle are fearing that playing two games in 4 days will cause further damage to Bellamy’s knee. "The likelihood of the knee problems being affected will increase significantly" said Cushing.

No chances

Manager Mark Hughes has insisted that he will not take any chances on the fitness of Craig Bellamy. “I have Craig's best interests at heart and there is no way I would risk him if he was not fit” said Hughes.

Firm favourites

Robbie Savage has insisted that a win in Milan on Saturday will put us as firm favourites to top Group. “If we win we are favourites to qualify; if they do, they will be the favourites. It hinges on this game" said Savage.

TV coverage Sep 3, 2003

Coverage - Saturday Evening - 7.10 - 10.00 on BBC Two Wales & 2W

Oliver Hides is joined in the studio by John Toshack, Kevin Ratcliffe and Ian Rush - Rob Phillips and Leighton James are pitchside - commentators are Ian Gwyn Hughes and Ian Walsh.

Also on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and Online in both languages.

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