Williams Unsurprised By Welsh Omission

Last updated : 05 November 2002 By Rob Cooper

Craig Bellamy bursts between Italy's Fabio Cannavaro and Luciano Zauri on the night the Welsh famously defeated the Italians 2-1
Craig Bellamy bursts between Italy's Fabio Cannavaro and Luciano Zauri on the night the Welsh famously defeated the Italians 2-1
Mark Hughes today announced his squad for Wales' clash with Azerbaijan next month. Reading defender Adie Williams, who had been tipped for a call-up, did not make the squad.

The 31-year-old former Wolves centre-back already has twelve caps to his name. Many people felt that he may add to that tally after some fantastic recent displays.

The Welsh are currently sitting pretty at the top of their Euro 2004 qualifying group after defeating both Finland and Italy.

After storming to two fantastic victories Williams admitted he didn't expect Mark Hughes to make changes to his winning squad.

The Royals nunber eight told readingfc.co.uk: "After the results in recent weeks, I never expected any changes and if I was manager, I wouldn't have made any changes either.

"Whenever there's a squad announced you're looking, not necessarily for yourself but just to see who the boys are. With an away win in Finland and a home win over Italy, there's obviously not a lot wrong so why change it? I wish them well.

"I'm happy with my form but following those two results, you don't expect there to be any changes, and I don't see why anyone would be left out."

Reading have been doing particuarly well in recent weeks, a Williams-inspired defence has been virtually water tight, helping the Royals to record four wins in their last five outings.

"I'm very focused on Reading, things are going well and we're eighth in the league and we want to push on for the play-off places,'' added the Welshman.

Wales squad:

Goalkeepers:
P Jones (Southampton), M Crossley (Middlesbrough), D Ward (Nottm Forest)
Defenders: D Coyne (Grimsby), A Melville (Fulham), R Page (Sheff Utd), M Delaney (Aston Villa), D Barnard (Grimsby), D Gabbidon (Cardiff), R Weston (Cardiff).
Midfielders: G Speed (Newcastle), M Pembridge (Everton), R Savage (Birmingham), S Davies (Tottenham), C Robinson (Portsmouth), A Johnson (West Brom), P Trollope (Northampton), J Koumas (West Brom), P Evans (Bradford), R Giggs (Man Utd).
Strikers: J Hartson (Celtic), N Blake (Wolves), C Bellamy (Newcastle), G Taylor (Burnley), R Earnshaw (Cardiff).