Giggs to miss Armenia trip

Ryan Giggs was determined to be fit for Wales

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson insisted on Friday that Ryan Giggs has no chance of playing in Wales' World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Saturday, 24 March.

And there was confusion whether Ferguson would even allow Giggs to play against Ukraine at Cardiff three days later.

Giggs has not played since injuring his leg in the Champions League match against Valencia last month.

The winger was in line for a recall to the Manchester United team to face Sturm Graz on Wednesday, but a bout of flu two days earlier forced him to miss that match.

No way

Despite training with United on Friday, Ferguson said Giggs would not play against Leicester City and would therefore not be available for international duty.

"He turned in yesterday (Thursday) but didn't do anything except for a light jog," said Ferguson.

"He trained this morning but won't be ready for tomorrow."

And when asked whether Giggs would be available for international duty, Ferguson replied: "No, no - no way."

I just hope it doesn't rule him out of the Ukraine game

  Wales assistant coach Mark Bowen

Wales assistant coach Mark Bowen accepted that Giggs withdrawal was a massive blow to Wales' chances of securing a positive result in Armenia.

But he remained hopeful that Giggs would be fit for the home match against Ukraine.

"Before today, the vibes we were getting back from the doctors at Old Trafford and from Ryan himself were all positives," he said.

"We knew all along that for him to travel to Armenia it would mean flying for nine hours, and that was always going to be a risk in relation to his hamstring problems.

"I just hope it doesn't rule him out of the Ukraine game.

"We have to remain positive until any other news comes from Old Trafford, or until Mark (Hughes) has spoken to Ryan himself."