Injury blows for Wales

Wales boss Mark Hughes has been hit by the withdrawal of two more players from his squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with England and Poland.

Striker Gareth Taylor and midfielder Andy Johnson have been ruled out with knee and back injuries respectively.

This follows the withdrawal of defender Robert Page who has returned to his club, Cardiff, for treatment on cracked ribs.

The absence of Johnson will be a major blow to Hughes as the West Brom player had been a candidate to replace the suspended Robbie Savage.

Forest forward Taylor is out for three weeks with a knee problem and joins Johnson and Page on the sidelines for both World Cup qualifiers.