Delaney eyes Armenia return

Mark Delaney has recovered sooner than expected

Aston Villa star Mark Delaney has told Wales manager Mark Hughes that he is fit and ready for World Cup battle.

The 24-year-old fullback, who thought he had no chance of making the Wales squad after a serious ankle threatened to end his season, aims to convince Hughes he is fit.

Delaney has a chance to hold on to his hard-won Wales place in Yerevan on Saturday in the Group Five World Cup qualifier against Armenia.

Wales fly to Armenia on Wednesday morning and Delaney said: "I know I've still not played a first-team game since coming back from injury, but I feel okay and I don't want to lose my Wales place now."

I must admit I didn't think I'd be here

  Mark Delaney

If selected, Delaney will play his first match of any kind for two months in Yerevan.

The Fishguard-born former non-League player - who has suffered three injuries this season and missed months of action - returned to full training only a week ago.

He was an unused substitute in Villa's home 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Sunday before joining up with Wales in Cardiff.

Qualification

Hughes did not expect to see him and Delaney said: "I must admit I didn't think I'd be here.

"I've been out for a long time and when I was told it would be about six weeks before I was back I knew that these two internationals fell into that period, so I was far from happy.

"But everything has gone really well. My fitness feels good and the ankle seems fine. In the end it was a straightforward ligament injury but it could not have come at a worse time.

"If the gaffer says I'm playing on Saturday I know I'm ready. I've been training, there's no problem and it's just up to the boss now. But if he picks me, I'll be fine. I feel that I'm ready."

Wales, who play Ukraine in Cardiff on March 28, know they must take something from both games to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Hughes will study Delaney in training to judge if he can cope with international football after his long lay-off, but said: "Mark has trained. He has not had much football recently but he is a fit lad and I don't think having to play will be a problem."