Welsh star Craig Bellamy will in the Champions League final for Liverpool on Thursday. Photo / Reuters
Wales expect to name three new caps for their soccer friendly international against New Zealand at Wrexham on Sunday morning (NZ time).
Liverpool star Craig Bellamy also hopes to be involved after his likely participation in the Champions League soccer final at Athens tomorrow morning.
Wales chief John
Toshack seems certain to give international debuts to Barnsley striker Daniel Nardiello, Cardiff teenager Chris Gunter and Oldham defender Neil Eardley.
The game is a warmup for the following weekend's Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff against the Czech Republic, a game Toshack admits Wales must win "to have any chance of qualifying for the finals."
Wales have Southampton defender Gareth Bale (ankle) and Sunderland's Danny Collins (hip) out of this weekend's match but both should be fit to figure against the Czechs.
Toshack had been prepared to do without the services of Bellamy, with the striker only returning from Athens on Thursday afternoon.
Bellamy said he was keen to play.
"I have not given up the thought of being involved for Wales, but obviously it depends very much on the European final and how that goes for me," he told reporters.
"I have always enjoyed playing at Wrexham, and I captained Wales there. I also made my Liverpool debut at the Race course and have a good relationship with the north Wales fans.
"We will see how it goes, but I expect to join up with the squad at their hotel base on Friday and then I can maybe be involved the following day."
Toshack will use the game to give players match practice, particularly West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon, who has not played this year following a groin operation.
Bellamy, Ryan Giggs and Robert Earnshaw can also expect to play at least 45 minutes at Wrexham.
Nardiello, the former Manchester United junior, will follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a full Wales international.
Nardiello will certainly figure for the first time now that Southend's Freddy Eastwood has withdrawn from what would have been his first cap, due to a back problem.
Wales will be without Jason Koumas, Lewin Nyatanga and Arron Davies this weekend due to their involvement in the Football League playoffs but all three will be back to face the Czechs.
- NZPA
