Ricketts Named In Welsh Squad

Swansea full-back Sam Ricketts has been named in the Welsh squad to face Austria home and away in the country's qualifiers at the end of March. Ricketts earned his first cap in last month's friendly against Hungary and new manager John Toshack has decided to keep faith with the ex-Telford full-back.

Wales' hopes of qualifying are virtually over and the Swansea full back will merely be hoping for more international experience. However, Ricketts has recently been struggling from a mystery injury with "hernia-like symptoms" which requires a great deal of medical attention and Kenny Jackett will be hoping that his full-back does not aggrevate such an injury, thus ruling him out of Swansea's faltering promotion run-in.

Also named in the squad are Ryan Giggs, John Hartson and Craig Bellamy, whilst Robbie Savage is left out after announcing his international retirement. Cardiff's James Collins is recalled in defence while Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Price is the only new face, following the retirement of Marc Crossley.