Lennie frees Wales stars

Last updated : 04 October 2002 By Michael Morris
Wales' Premiership players will have 7 days to prepare for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Italy but Cardiff's three players will be on Club duty just 5 days before the Azzurri visit the Capital.

Lennie Lawrence has agreed to let Daniel Gabbidon, Rhys Weston and Robert Earnshaw train with Wales on the Friday before the Bluebirds play Wycombe in another crucial Division 2 game on Saturday 12th October. The players are then free to continue their Wales build up with Gabbidon most likely to start the game.

"We want to help Wales. We want to develop the players and I see international football as a big part of their development. So it won't be beyond the bounds of possibility for them to link up if required by Mark, provided they come back in good shape for Saturday. That's up to him. It's something we've talked about and I think we're all in the same boat. We're all singing from the same hymn sheet."