Davies and Bullard vow to shine

WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING GROUP SIX
Andorra v England Venue: Olympic Stadium, Barcelona Date: Saturday, 6 September Kick-off: 1900 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live & online WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING GROUP FOUR
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 6 September Kick-off: 1500 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & online

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Interview: Wales midfielder Simon Davies

Simon Davies promises that he and Jimmy Bullard will make the most of their international chances this weekend.

Davies will lead out rookie Wales as they begin their World Cup qualifying bid against Azerbaijan in Cardiff.

Fulham team-mate Bullard, meanwhile, hopes for a belated England debut against Andorra on Saturday.

"It's a big chance for both of us," Davies told BBC Sport. "While I can't wait to captain Wales, I know Jimmy is excited about playing for England."

Craven Cottage midfielders Davies and Bullard played an instrumental part in Fulham's great escape from Premier League relegation last season.

Now both likeable footballers are set for new but differing challenges on the international stage.

I, like everyone else at Fulham, are delighted that he has got a chance with England because he is a great lad Simon Davies

"I'm made up for Jimmy getting his chance with England," said pal Davies.

"Jimmy suffered a really horrific injury when he arrived at Fulham but he came back brilliantly and played a huge role in keeping us in the top-flight.

"So I, like everyone else at Fulham, are delighted that he has got a chance with England because he is a great lad."

While 29-year-old Bullard is dreaming of making an England debut, Davies is ready to step out of the shadows of Craig Bellamy, Ryan Giggs and Gary Speed to lead his young Wales team into an important qualification campaign.

Injuries to Bellamy, Danny Gabbidon and James Collins ensures 28-year-old Davies is the most experienced player in John Toshack's youthful squad

Davies, 28, will win his 52nd cap against Azerbaijan on Saturday and is the most experienced member of a team that will be crammed full of under-21 players.

Tottenham Hotspur pair Gareth Bale and Chris Gunter, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and Cardiff City FA Cup final hero Joe Ledley must come of age to inspire Wales to Group four opening day victory on the road to South Africa 2010.

But captain Davies told his young team: "The talk of potential must stop now.

Bullard enjoying his England dream

"We've been talking about potential ever since the manager took over three years, now it is time to perform.

"The young lads have got great international experience already and we must accept that this is the best we've got so we must show people we can perform on the highest stage."

Arsenal wonderkid Aaron Ramsey, teenage strikers Ched Evans and Sam Vokes and Wolves midfielder David Edwards are set for starring roles in a campaign where Wales face two of the stand-out teams of Euro 2008, Russia and Germany.

In fact, Wales, renowned for their sluggish starts to campaigns, travel to Moscow four days after their opener with Azerbaijan.

"We must start well," said Davies. "Twelve points from the first six games are the goal."

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Wales squad to face Azerbaijan and Russia: Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull), Lewis Price (Derby), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Steve Evans (Wrexham), Chris Gunter (Tottenham), Craig Morgan (Peterborough), Sam Ricketts (Hull), Ashley Williams (Swansea), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham), Simon Davies (Fulham), David Edwards (Wolves), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Owain Tudur Jones (Swansea), Jason Koumas (Wigan), Joe Ledley (Cardiff), Paul Parry (Cardiff), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Carl Robinson (Toronto FC), Brian Stock (Doncaster), David Cotterill (Sheffield Utd), Ched Evans (Man City), Sam Vokes (Wolves), Rob Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest).