Soccer

Toshack leaves out West Brom pair

Veteran striker John Hartson and West Brom rebel Jason Koumas have both been omitted from the Wales squad to play the Czech Republic…

Wed Aug 23 2006 - 01:00

Veteran striker John Hartson and West Brom rebel Jason Koumas have both been omitted from the Wales squad to play the Czech Republic in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Teplice on September 2nd.

National team boss John Toshack announced the most important squad of his two-year reign today ahead of the game.  Republic of Ireland and Germany are also in the Group D.

Baggies striker Hartson, 31, met Toshack last week to make himself available for his country again after last season's retirement, but it was agreed this squad was too soon for a comeback.

Toshack wants to keep faith with the players who have been working with him for two years.

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Koumas, who withdrew at the last moment from the squad which drew with Bulgaria last week because of his lack of fitness and a dispute with West Brom, was not expected to regain his place.

The 26-year-old midfielder has not trained all summer with the Baggies and has now been told by Cardiff - where he was on loan last season - a potential transfer will not go ahead for financial reasons.

Koumas has held clear-the-air talks with Albion boss Bryan Robson but will need to train regularly and regain his fitness before Toshack will consider him again.

Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne has also been left out after only recently returning to action following a cruciate knee ligament injury.

With Wolves' Craig Davies and Wrexham's Marc Williams both suspended from Under-21s duty after red cards against Israel last week, Bristol City striker David Cotterill will drop down from the seniors.

The Under-21s face a UEFA Championships qualifier with Turkey in Cardiff on Saturday week, the day that the seniors start their Euro 2008 campaign away to the Czechs. Wales play Brazil at White Hart Lane three days later in a prestigious friendly.

Wales squad:  Jones (QPR), Brown (Blackburn), Garner (Orient), J Collins (West Ham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Delaney (Aston Villa), Duffy (Portsmouth), Edwards (Wolves), Nyatanga (Derby), Partridge (Bristol City), Ricketts (Hull), Crofts (Gillingham), Davies (Everton), Fletcher (Palace), Robinson (Norwich), Ledley (Cardiff), Vaughan (Crewe), Bellamy (Liverpool), Giggs (Man Utd), Earnshaw (Norwich), Parry (Cardiff).