The Western Mail writes
CARDIFF CITY defender Rhys Weston has confessed he's been keeping an eye on Mark Delaney's fitness situation at Aston Villa.
With Wales manager Mark Hughes naming his squad today for next month's Euro 2004 qualifier with Italy in Cardiff, Weston is only too aware that Delaney has missed the last few weeks of Villa's misfiring Premiership campaign.
Delaney returned on Saturday to play 77 minutes of Villa's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland and Hughes will be hoping the Pembrokeshire-born defender did not suffer any reaction to his mysterious leg injury as he has few options in the right-back department. Full story.
There would appear to be little doubt that Rhys will be in the squad, the report above suggests he could even be close to playing if Mark Delaney is a doubt.
Daniel Gabbidon is again City's most likely starter, he's done nothing wrong in his last two games and it would be harsh is Robert Page is brought back in ahead of Gabbidon.
Rob Earnshaw's 9 goals in the last 6 games could force Mark Hughes to include the young striker in the starting line up. Craig Bellamy will always be first choice above Earnshaw but his current stike rate and his goal at the Millennium Stadium against World Cup finalists Germany could give Earnie the nod especially if Bellamy is not fully fit. He was left out of Newcastles line up on Saturday, the reason, short of match fitness.
Squad news to follow later this morning.