Toshack defends Gabbidon choice

Gabbidon says he is desperate to play against the Czechs

Date: Saturday, 2 June
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Listen: Live on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & online

Coverage details

Wales manager John Toshack says he was right to play Danny Gabbidon against New Zealand and suggested that the defender will face the Czech Republic.

The West Ham centre-back had not played since January due to groin injuries.

He looked badly off the pace in the 2-2 draw at the Racecourse, but is set to play in a 5-3-2 formation in Saturday's must-win Euro 2008 clash in Cardiff.

"It was definitely the right decision to play Danny, he'll be better for the 90 minutes," Toshack told BBC Sport.

I think James Collins is a better player without Gabbidon alongside him Kevin Ratcliffe Read Ratcliffe's column in full

"He has not played a competitive game for four months and it showed, but we protected him a lot better in the second half when we switched to a 5-3-2 formation.

"Danny's obviously a key player for us, especially in the system that we played in the second half.

"With Gareth Bale and Danny Collins unlikely to be fit to face the Czechs, I'm not sure that we've got the defensive full-backs to play a flat back four.

"When we have four or five players out it's very difficult to get any continuity at this stage in our development.

"If I pull the blanket over my head my feet get cold, and if I push it over my feet my head gets cold."

606: DEBATE Can Wales omit their most accomplished defender? Sean Davies

Former Wales captain and centre-back Kevin Ratcliffe insists that Gabbidon should not be exposed at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

"I think it would be a big, big risk to play Gabbidon after so long out and such a poor performance in the New Zealand game," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"His partnership with James Collins is also a concern, they can drag each other down.

"Collins can be a better player without Gabbidon alongside, he takes more responsibility and doesn't try to emulate his partner's game.

I'll be ready to face the Czechs, we'll just have to see what the manager decides Danny Gabbidon

"I would play someone wholehearted like Steve Evans with Collins on Saturday, and maybe also get Lewin Nyatanga into a five-man defence."

Gabbidon himself says he is desperate to play against the Czechs.

"I was obviously rusty against New Zealand and it wasn't a great performance, but that's part of my rehabilitation and I was just happy to be out there," Gabbidon told BBC Sport Wales.

"It was a good workout, but I know that I can't play like that next week.

"We'll see how everything feels in the week, but I want to play in every game. I'll be ready, we'll just have to see what the manager decides."