Wales fret over Hartson

Striker John Hartson is a central figure for Wales

John Hartson is a major doubt for Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier against Serbia & Montenegro in two weeks.

The striker has been out of action since undergoing a back operation in May, but had been recovering well.

However, Hartson strained a calf muscle during training this week and Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is resigned to him missing the start of the SPL season.

If Hartson can't turn out for his club before Wales travel to Belgrade, then he is almost certain to miss the 20 August clash.

His absence would be a huge blow to manager Mark Hughes' plans, although Nathan Blake - back in the Premiership with Wolverhampton - can fill the role.

John is larger than life, a leader who can have an impact on the game at the highest level Wales manager Mark Hughes

"John is larger than life, a leader who can have an impact on the game at the highest level," said Hughes.

At least Hughes had some good news on Monday, after Simon Davies was passed fit for the Serbia & Montenegro match.

The Spurs midfielder has shrugged off a calf injury sustained in his club's friendly against PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.

But there are also fitness worries over Andy Melville, who like Hartson has missed his club's entire pre-season programmes, and Gareth Taylor (eye injury).

Hughes is already resigned to being without midfielder Matthew Jones (back injury) and defender Rob Edwards (ankle), but Mark Delaney is expected to be fit.

Hughes says the squad will take a positive attitude to Belgrade despite the lack of match practice so early in the season.

"I would rather the boys had had four or five games under their belt, but they will be fit," said Hughes.

"We have to go out and look for a positive result."

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Wales squad to face Serbia & Montenegro: Danny Coyne (Leicester City), Mark Crossley (Middlesbrough), Paul Jones (Southampton), Darren Ward (Nottingham Forest), Darren Barnard (Grimsby Town), Craig Bellamy (Newcastle United), Nathan Blake, (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Simon Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Mark Delaney (Aston Villa), Robert Earnshaw (Cardiff City), Danny Gabbidon (Cardiff City), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), John Hartson (Celtic), Andy Johnson (West Bromwich Albion), Jason Koumas (West Bromwich Albion), Andrew Melville (Fulham), John Oster (Sunderland), Robert Page (Sheffield United), Mark Pembridge (Everton), Carl Robinson (Portsmouth), Robbie Savage (Birmingham City), Gary Speed (Newcastle United), Kit Symons (Crystal Palace), Gareth Taylor (Burnley), Paul Trollope (Northampton Town), Rhys Weston (Cardiff City), Adrian Williams (Reading).

Wales Under-21 squad: Jason Brown (Gillingham), Paul Whitfield (Wrexham), Michael Brough (Notts County), James Collin (Cardiff City), Lee Fowler (Coventry City), Kevin Gall (Yeovil Town), Craig Morgan (Wrexham), Darren Moss (Shrewsbury Town), Shaun Pejic (Wrexham), David Pipe (Coventry City), Liam Powell (Leicester City), Michael Price (Scarborough), Matthew Rees (Millwall), Matthew Somner (Brentford), Jamie Tolley (Shrewsbury Town), David Vaughan (Crewe Alexandra), Gareth Williams (Crystal Palace), Matthew Williams (Manchester United).

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