Williams backed to rescue Wales

Williams is looking set to play a key role in Wales' defence

Wales boss John Toshack has been told Ashley Williams is the man to fill the hole in the heart of Wales' defence for next week's 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

James Collins, Danny Gabbidon and Lewin Nyatanga are out injured for the games against Azerbaijan and Russia.

But Swansea City boss Roberto Martinez says his key centre-back has impressed for Wales since his debut in March.

"Every time he's played for Wales he's showed he's capable of facing the top, world-class players," said Martinez.

Peterborough captain Craig Morgan and versatile defender Chris Gunter are favourite to line-up alongside the 24-year-old Williams when Wales begin their World Cup qualifiers.

Veteran boss Toshack admits Wales' injury crisis is "the worst in my 30 years in management".

Strike duo Craig Bellamy and Freddie Eastwood and struggling for fitness, as are influential midfielders Jason Koumas and Joe Ledley.

Toshack hails Gabbidon, Collins and Nyatanga as Wales' "nerve-centre" but the former Real Madrid coach has been reassured that Williams can be the lynchpin of a makeshift Welsh back-line.

We were in a lot better shape at the end of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign than we are now Wales manager John Toshack

"I've been very impressed with Ashley," Martinez told BBC Sport.

"He's a winner and there has been a huge improvement in his attitude since he's been at Swansea. He has passed every test he's been given with flying colours.

"I wouldn't be at all worried about Williams doing it for Wales and I'm sure that John Toshack knows he's going to be a very important player in the qualifiers."

Star striker and captain Bellamy is back in full training after suffering a pulled hamstring in a pre-season friendly for West Ham.

And Toshack hopes the 29-year-old can make an early first-team return for his club in Saturday's Premier League clash with Blackburn in order to give Bellamy a chance of leading his country at the start in a crucial qualifying campaign.

"I spoke to Craig and he's a lot better," said Toshack.

"He's back in full training and hopeful of being with us.

"There is even a chance that Craig may actually be back in the Premier League this weekend so we will wait and see."

Coventry striker Eastwood has a groin strain and Wales' playmaker Koumas was forced off in Sunday's defeat to Chelsea at half-time, while Cardiff hero Ledley has a back problem.

Toshack did not pick long-term injury victims Gabbidon and Nyatanga in his Wales squad and concedes West Ham star Collins "just won't be fit enough" after 10 months out in the wake of major knee surgery.

"I don't like the word chaos," said Toshack.

"But we were in a lot better shape at the end of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign than we are now.

"Losing James is a blow but we have to accept he just won't be fit enough.

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"To lose James, Danny and Lewin in one fell swoop is huge for a country like ours."

Wales open their World Cup Group Four qualifying campaign against Azerbaijan in Cardiff on September 6 before travelling to Moscow to play Euro 2008 semi-finalists Russia four days later.

Toshack's side then host Liechtenstein at the Millennium Stadium on 11 October before playing Euro 2008 finalists Germany in Monchengladbach four days later.

Wales' tough qualifying campaign continues in the spring when Finland and the Germans come to Cardiff for a Millennium Stadium double-header.

When he was appointed, Toshack asked the Welsh public for time and not to judge him until this World Cup qualifying campaign.

Yet despite a depleted squad, Toshack said: "We have to have at least 12 points by then if we are to have a hope of doing anything."

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Wales squad to face Azerbaijan and Russia: Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Boaz Myhill (Hull City), Lewis Price (Derby County), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), James Collins (West Ham), Steve Evans (Wrexham), Chris Gunter (Tottenham Hotspur), Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), Sam Ricketts (Hull City), Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham), Simon Davies (Fulham), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Owain Tudur Jones (Swansea City), Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City), Paul Parry (Cardiff City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Carl Robinson (Toronto FC), Brian Stock (Doncaster Rovers), Craig Bellay (West Ham), David Cotterill (Sheffield United), Freddy Eastwood (Coventry City), Ched Evans (Manchester City), Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton Wanderers).