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06:02 GMT, Tuesday, 26 August 2008 07:02 UK

Coleman 'not interested' in Wales

Chris Coleman

Coventry boss Chris Coleman says he "couldn't care less" if striker Freddy Eastwood is a doubt for Wales' opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers next month.

The former Wales international insists he is only interested in the club he manages, not his country.

"I don't care about the Azerbaijan game to be honest with you," he said. "I couldn't care less.

"We need Freddy fit for us for Doncaster Rovers, we signed him for a reason. I don't care about Wales."

Eastwood limped out of Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Bristol City with a groin strain at half time.

He is already out of Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Newcastle and is also a doubt for the weekend's clash with Doncaster.

Wales open their World Cup qualifying campaign the following weekend at home to Azerbaijan on 6 September before travelling to Russia four days later.

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Recovery time from groin strains vary between two weeks to two months, depending on the severity of the injury.

Wales manager John Toshack already has injury concerns in the centre of defence.

But with Eastwood joining West Ham's Craig Bellamy in the race to be fit, Toshack will also have concerns over the fitness of his first-choice strike force.

Toshack said after last Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Georgia: "We hope some of the players who weren't fit for this evening could be ready for the Azerbaijan game.

"We hope we don't pick up any more injuries to the players who played this evening, that's my main concern."

Meanwhile West Ham boss Alan Curbishley told the Southend Echo he is puzzled why Bellamy and James Collins have been called up.

The West Ham United pair were both included in Toshack's squad for next month's 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Russia.

Bellamy is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, while defender Collins is still recovering after eight months out with torn cruciate knee ligaments.

"I don't know what's happened there," said Curbishley.

"I think both players are going to be best served staying with us and we'll let John know that in the week."


Wales squad: 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).




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Related to this story:

Toshack calls up Ramsey for Wales (22 Aug 08 |  Internationals )
Coleman unveiled as Coventry boss (19 Feb 08 |  Coventry )
Coleman's happy ending (16 May 03 |  Fulham )
Hughes praises Coleman (02 Oct 02 |  Wales )

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