Gabbidon set to miss Tranmere

Last updated : 15 November 2002 By Michael Morris
The City defender will though team up with Wales on Sunday and will be looked at by the Welsh doctors before a decision will be made on his availability to travel to Azerbaijan.

Lennie is placing his trust in the Welsh FA and he hopes the right decisions are made, talking to the Western Mail Lennie said

"If they say Danny can play and we lose him for a number of weeks because he played against Azerbaijan, then I will be devastated. I am placing my trust completely in the hands of Wales on this one, especially their medical people. Even if he doesn't play at Tranmere, we will let him report with the national team on Sunday and we'll take it from there. But I'm trusting Wales to make the right decision, not only for themselves but for this club and for the player. I can envisage another club not letting Danny report with Wales, but we are Cardiff and we will support Wales in any way we can."

Lennie was hopeful that Gabbidon would be fit for tomorrows game but he is rated doubtful.

"Danny has had treatment and also a run-out, but his back hasn't really improved since the Barnsley game". Lennie continued.

"Put it this way, if we were playing Tranmere 24 hours earlier then Danny wouldn't be able to play. If Wales's medical staff decide that Danny is fit and should be on the plane to Azerbaijan then that's fine by me. But I'm trusting Wales to make a proper assessment. I expect the Welsh staff to look at him because we think that's the proper thing to do. We will do everything possible to help Wales and we will by guided by them."

If Gabbidon is ruled out of the Wales game, he will probably be replaced by Robert Page. It looks like being a second withdrawl from the squad. Newcastle have told Wales that Craig Bellamy is not allowed to play. The striker scored twice in Newcastle's Champions league success in midweek but after returning from America where he saw a knee specialist Bellamy has been told he can only play once a week. Bobby Robson does not want his star striker making the 6 hour flight to Baku and then returning home for a weekend where Newcastle play Man Utd.

Magpies boss Bobby Robson said

"We've played ball with what the surgeon has said. Craig took 10 days off and we have eased him back into training. He is still not 100 per cent match fit. We've told Craig that we've informed Wales that he won't be allowed to play in Azerbaijan. Until his knee settles down then he is limited to one game a week and that's the situation until he is given the go-ahead to step things up. We need to say to Wales that he is valuable to us and is valuable to you, too. We know how to deal with him best."

Wales have another in form striker waiting to step in if needed. Robert Earnshaw has been on the bench for the last two games but would relish the chance to take Bellamy's place. It's not yet known if Mark Hughes will directly replace Bellamy with Earnshaw and play two strikers or whether he will add an extra man in midfield and play Hartson up front on his own.

There is a dispute in Azerbaijan over the venue for the game. The planned Stadium in Baku which holds 35,000 may not be used as their is a row over the fees to be paid for using the ground by the Azerbaijan Football Association. A 7,500 seat alternative may have to be used.

The Wales game is being televised next Wednesday afternoon with a 3:00pm UK time kick off.