THE unlikely figure of Phil Neville has emerged from a posse of Manchester United midfield hopefuls to become the natural successor to captain Roy Keane.

Mark Hughes injected a note of uncertainty surrounding his future as Wales coach after a second successive failure by his side to qualify for the finals of a major tournament.

Wales 0 Russia 1 (Russia win 1-0 on aggregate)

Wales remain hopeful Ryan Giggs will be fit to line-up against Russia in tonight’s crunch Euro 2004 showdown at the Millennium Stadium.

RYAN GIGGS has been cleared to play in Wales' Euro 2004 play-off decider tonight after UEFA rejected Russia's bid to have him kicked out of the match.

Ryan Giggs takes his place for Wales in their Euro 2004 play-off second-leg against Russia in Cardiff tomorrow, despite being charged with improper conduct by UEFA.

Ryan Giggs is almost certain to be available for Wales in their Euro 2004 play-off second leg match against Russia, with UEFA still waiting for the tape which allegedly shows him elbowing full-back Vadim Evseev.

Wales are expecting to find out later today whether they will lose star midfielder Ryan Giggs for their biggest match of the last 45 years.

WALES soccer bosses insist they will “vigorously defend” Ryan Giggs from any attempt by UEFA to throw him out of the Euro 2004 play-off second leg in Cardiff.

UEFA have not ruled out the prospect of Ryan Giggs being banned for the second leg of Wales’ Euro 2004 play-off with Russia – but it appears unlikely because of the timescale involved.

WALES coach Mark Hughes has called for his top players to have the game of their lives in their Euro 2004 play-off against Russia today and not to allow such a golden chance to slip away.

Republic of Ireland 1 Russia 1