Giggs returns to Wales squad
Ryan Giggs returns from suspension for Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifier against England on his home pitch at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United star is in the squad for the double-header against Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side on October 9 and the Cardiff clash with Poland on October 13.
Giggs has been serving a two-match UEFA ban following the alleged elbowing incident in last season’s Euro 2004 play-off defeat by Russia.
Wales have also named Birmingham’s Robbie Savage in the squad for the Group Six matches, although the midfielder will be serving a one-match ban for the England encounter. He will return for the Millennium Stadium clash with the Poles.
Savage was sent off earlier this month in the 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland in Cardiff and his red card has since been confirmed as a one-match ban by FIFA.
Savage, though, is taking his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a desperate attempt to be cleared to face England.
Wales will be without Wolves defender Rob Edwards, who has had an ankle operation, and Leicester’s Nathan Blake, who is believed to be considering his retirement from international football.
The two matches will bring to an end Mark Hughes’ five-year spell as Wales manager now he has taken over at Blackburn.
The under-21s, who play England at Blackburn on October 8 and Poland at Swansea on October 12, will be without defender Stuart Jones, who will be denied the chance to play on his home Vetch Field pitch as he serves a one-match ban after being sent off in the 1-0 away win over Azerbaijan in Wales’ last match.
Cardiff’s Byron Anthony, who scored on his debut for the club at MK Dons this week, has been called up as a replacement while Wales have added a third goalkeeper to their squad in TNS’ James Coates.
