Toshack Calls-Up Super Koumas

International
By Chris O'Brien
August 10 2005

No surprises as on-loan midfielder Jason Koumas is the only Cardiff City player in John Toshack's Wales squad for the upcoming friendly against Slovenia. The 23-man squad is littered with former Bluebirds as the national team head to Jack land.

Gone are the days of Cardiff City players spread across the Welsh squad list. Instead, John Toshack's latest Welsh squad features only one Bluebird - the on-loan Jason Koumas who now has extra reasons to celebrate following his dazzling City debut against Leeds United on Tuesday night.

Koumas will hope to start the game against Slovenia, with Robbie Savage once again missing from the squad after a frustrating dispute with manager Toshack. The squad is littered with ex-Bluebirds, including James Collins, Daniel Gabbidon, Mark Delaney, Robert Page and Robert Earnshaw. There is no place in the squad for Paul Parry, Martyn Margetson or Rhys Weston.

Meanwhile, Joe Ledley, Stuart Fleetwood and Byron Anthony have all been called-up to the under-21 squad for their friendly against Malta at Llanelli's impressive Stebonheath Park ground.

Wales entertain Slovenia in Jack Land - with the dreadfully named 'New Stadium' in Swansea set to host its first international game.

Wales senior squad to play Slovenia in Swansea on August 17th:
Coyne (Burnley), Jones (Wolves), Price (Ipswich), Collins (West Ham), Delaney (Aston Villa), Duffy (Coventry), Edwards (Wolves), Gabbidon (West Ham), Page (Coventry), Partridge (Bristol City), Ricketts (Swansea), Roberts (Tranmere), Thatcher (Man City), Davies (Everton), Fletcher (West Ham), Koumas (Cardiff), Robinson (Sunderland), Vaughan (Crewe), Williams (West Ham), Bellamy (Blackburn), Earnshaw (West Brom), Giggs (Man Utd), Hartson (Celtic).

Wales Under-21 squad to face Malta in Llanelli on August 16th:
Hennessey (Wolves), Worgan (unattached), Anthony (Cardiff), Beevers (Lincoln), Adam Davies (Cambridge), Gilbert (Leicester), Martin (Notts County), Nyatanga (Derby), Critchell (Southampton), Crofts (Gillingham), Crowell (Wrexham), Arron Davies (Yeovil), Jones (Wrexham), Ledley (Cardiff), Pulis (Torquay), Birchall (Mansfield), Fleetwood (Cardiff), Cotterill (Bristol City), C Davies (Oxford), Pritchard (Swansea).

Good luck to Koumas and the rest of the Welsh squad at both levels.