Hughes slams referee but gets welcome boost ahead of Finnish game

MARK HUGHES yesterday criticised German referee Markus Merk’s performance in Milan after Wales’ dreams of qualifying for Euro 2004 were savaged by Italy.

But the Wales manager was given a welcome boost to his injury and suspension-crippled squad, with key defenders Andy Melville and Kit Symons both coming through a lunchtime training session yesterday after the squad had returned to their Cardiff base overnight.

Hughes, who was warned about his touchline behaviour during the game, revealed his anger at the treatment dished out to his players by the German official.