Koumas Wales Future In Doubt

02 April 2009 15:09
Jason Koumas' days in the Wales squad could be numbered in the fall-out from the side's two World Cup qualifying defeats.[LNB]The Wigan midfielder has not retired from international football, despite speculation, but he did have showdown talks with boss John Toshack before leaving the team hotel ahead of Wednesday's 2-0 defeat by Germany in Cardiff.[LNB]Koumas was known to be disappointed with remarks made about his performances and felt the fact he has been carrying a hip injury for club and country since before Christmas was not being taken into account.[LNB]Koumas is expected to have an operation on the injury in the summer and could find his place in Toshack's squad in doubt from now on.[LNB]Koumas would not have played against Germany anyway and it is believed Fulham's Simon Davies would also have been left out.[LNB]That was until striker Craig Bellamy's late withdrawal following a recurrence of his knee injury. The Manchester City forward returned to his club for treatment on the morning of the match.[LNB]And there must now be a doubt over Bellamy's involvement in Wales' next games. They are due to play Kazakhstan in a friendly at Llanelli on May 29, with a World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan on June 6.[LNB]Toshack talked of "sorting out a few issues" after the defeat on Wednesday but Football Association of Wales spokesman Ceri Stennett made it clear Koumas "has not retired from international football".[LNB]However, if Toshack decides to do without Koumas and finds Bellamy is also not involved, there will be an issue over the captaincy, with Cardiff skipper Joe Ledley now a candidate.[LNB]But Toshack will dust himself down after a turbulent few days of soul searching and home defeats by Finland and Germany.[LNB]With a two-year contract extension newly signed, there is no chance of him considering his own future.[LNB]South Africa 2010 may now be history for Wales but Toshack will turn to Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey and two more bright youngsters from the under-21s, midfielders Andy King of Leicester and Swansea's Joe Allen.[LNB]King has had a fine season with Leicester as they head towards promotion from League One, while the diminutive Allen has been in the Swansea side of late as they bid for a place in the Championship play-offs.[LNB]Another veteran midfielder, Carl Fletcher, could also find himself left out of Toshack's squad, with the likes of West Ham's Jack Collison returning after injury.[LNB]And another West Ham man, defender Danny Gabbidon, is also set for a comeback. He visited the Wales camp this week for talks with Toshack and made it clear he is desperate to return to action.[LNB]Gabbidon has not played for West Ham for more than a year following serious stomach muscle injuries. But he has recovered from an operation and is now back in training with the Premier League side.[LNB]And he has intimated to Toshack he will be available for selection for the next two matches, with West Ham's consent as he continues his rehabilitation.[LNB]Nottingham Forest's Robert Earnshaw has also won himself another chance having impressed in training. He would have partnered Bellamy against the Germans before the captain was ruled out.[LNB]That gave Wolves striker Sam Vokes his chance and again the youngster impressed Toshack, as had Reading striker Simon Church with eight goals in 12 under-21 matches.[LNB]

Source: Eurosport