James Collins and Craig Bellamy are back in the Wales squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Russia next month.
The West Ham United pair are both getting closer to a first-team return with Collins notably coming through his first run-out this week since suffering a knee ligament injury in January. Bellamy played for Wales back in June but his excellent pre-season suffered a minor blip with a hamstring problem on 4 August although he is not thought to be too far away. John Toshack's men welcome the Azeris to Cardiff on Saturday 6 September before travelling to Moscow to face Russia four days later.
Meanwhile, Jack Collison who is hoped to be under a fortnight away from his comeback from a knee problem suffered in training has been called up for Wales Under-21s by coach Brian Flynn. The in-form Welsh youngsters play a crucial Group 10 match away to main rivals Romania on 9 September that they must win to make sure of topping their qualifying pool for the 2009 Euro finals in Sweden. As well as the group winners, the four best runners-up from the ten sections will also go through to October's 14-team play-offs.