Welsh hopes of upsetting England in their Euro 2012 qualifier on Saturday suffered a major blow as Gareth Bale was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
England’s build-up had been focused on how to stop Bale, who Fabio Capello had described as his player of the season.
“Due to a hamstring problem, Gareth Bale has had to withdraw from the Wales squad to face England on Saturday,” said a statement from the Football Association of Wales.
“He felt tight last week during training with his club. After playing 90 minutes on Saturday he felt some muscle tightness.
“Initially, this was expected to be muscle soreness after playing his first game. On joining up with the Welsh squad he was kept off his feet in training for two days to recover.
“As he still felt tight in the warm-up on Tuesday, Gareth was pulled out of the session. He did not train at all on Wednesday and was sent for a scan. The scan revealed that Gareth Bale picked up his injury last week.” The thinking was that James Milner would be used on the right of England’s midfield, his energy being used to double up with full-back Glen Johnson, but that plan may now change.
Capello seems likely to prefer the muscular presence of Andy Carroll, only recently returned from a thigh injury, to partner Wayne Rooney up front.
In an unfamiliar midfield, Scott Parker may start in the centre alongside Jack Wilshere, with Frank Lampard missing out, while Ashley Young is favourite for the left-sided role.
Milner insisted the inexperience of Carroll and Wilshere would not handicap England.
“They are good players who have played in hostile atmospheres every week in the Premier League,” he said. “It helps if you have experienced it before — but they have.
“Jack has played at the Nou Camp in the Champions League, Andy Carroll has played in big games at Newcastle and is now at a big club like Liverpool. Ultimately they are good players, which is why they are with us.” England, whose early momentum in qualifying was checked by a home draw against Montenegro, go to Cardiff needing a win to restore morale and to take the top spot in Group G. Montenegro, who lead England by three points, don’t play their next qualifier until June.
Wales, bottom of the group with zero points, should have Aaron Ramsey back for the first time since he suffered a horrific broken leg playing for Arsenal against Stoke City.
The midfielder insisted he has returned to find a slicker, happier squad since Gary Speed has replaced John Toshack as manager.
“It’s very exciting,” he said. “There has been a lot of change with the manager and the staff, and what’s been put in place is really spot on. The way we’ve trained and what goes on off the field as well has been a massive difference.”
