Toshack offers way back for former internationals
Wales manager John Toshack has admitted any of the Wales players who retired since he took over from Mark Hughes could return to the international set-up.
But while the way is open for the likes of Bolton’s Gary Speed to come straight back into the team, the return of Blackburn’s Robbie Savage is less likely.
Speed and Savage are the two players most missed by Wales in recent World Cup qualifying defeats by Austria.
But the way Savage, capped 39 times by Wales, publicly fell out with Toshack means a return to international action would only come after much back-tracking.
Former Leicester and Birmingham midfielder Savage launched an attack on Toshack, branding the ex-Real Madrid coach "a joke" and the Wales set-up "a shambles".
Toshack was today asked whether he would consider bringing any player who had retired since he took charge in November back into the Wales set-up.
“We would have to analyse an awful lot of things – particularly in the one you’re talking about (Savage),” he said.
“We would have to really think about the kind of things that were said, the respect that was lacking for certain people we have on board at the moment. Then we would consider it and do what we have to do.
“When a player announces his international retirement that’s normally it for me. We then wish them all the best for what’s left of their career and for what they want to do later.
“If any of the players who have gone changed their minds we would have to look at things on an individual basis. Whether we would then pick them or not, I don’t know.”
Even if Savage’s Wales time seems to be over, the door could yet be open for former captain Speed.
Referring to the value of older heads, Toshack paid tribute to the contribution FK Austria Magna attacker Ivica Vastic made for his country over the two victories over Wales.
Vastic came off the bench to fire the crucial opener in Austria’s 2-0 win at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday – and was menacing for his country as Wales conceded a late winner in Vienna last night.
Toshack said: “Austria had a number of players who were in their 30s. There was none better than Vastic, and he is 36.
“In terms of Gary Speed, maybe he is having second thoughts about his decision – I don’t know.
“It is useful to have experienced players to call upon – John Hartson, Robert Page and Paul Jones are all very important to me.
“I’m hoping that these type of people get behind me. Page, in particular, was bitterly disappointed about not making the starting line-up out in Austria. After his display last Saturday I could understand why.”
Toshack added: “Hartson shouldn’t be unduly concerned about not being involved in the system we operated out in Vienna.
“I flew to Scotland three months ago and told him that there would be occasions that he’d be left out.”
Toshack will now look ahead to a six-day training camp in San Sebastian in mid-May and a possible friendly international against Slovenia in Swansea on August 17 – vital dates before the big World Cup Group Six qualification showdown against England at the Millennium Stadium in early September.
A trip to Poland follows days later and Toshack has moved quickly to back Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne, whose error allowed Rene Aufhauser to bag the Austrians’ late winner on Wednesday.
The 1-0 reverse means Wales are still searching for a first competitive win in 12 internationals spanning over two years.
But Toshack said: “Danny Coyne will be on my next team sheet – he’ll be there with 10 others.
“I don’t think we lost in Vienna because of our goalie – Austria’s goalkeeper, Helge Payer, was by far Austria’s most influential player over the 120 minutes.
“We created more than enough chances for six internationals over the two matches with Austria.
“I don’t want anyone saying that we operated a defensive system in Vienna, it wasn’t the case.
“I wanted to play a certain way. Danny Gabbidon playing between James Collins and David Partridge in a back three worked, as did Ryan Giggs’ pairing with Craig Bellamy up front.
“The midfielders performed too – the players can have no excuses from now because they’ve proved they can operate this particular system.”
