WALES boss John Toshack is planning to pay a visit to West Ham to assess the fitness of injured trio Craig Bellamy, James Collins and Danny Gabbidon.
Toshack (pictured) is preparing his troops for tonight's friendly in Luxembourg, but is keeping one eye on the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins early next season.
That ideally would involve the Irons' three experienced Wales interntional stars and the 59-year-old is eager to hold crunch talks with the east London club on their availability ahead of the international friendlies with Iceland and Holland in May.
"I'd like to know as soon as possible when these players are going to be ready and whether or not they're available for the friendlies in Holland and Iceland in May and Georgia in August," he said.
"Rather than think they're going to be available and then they're not, we've got to start looking at alternatives.
"It really is a disappointment to miss players like that but the clock is ticking now for the World Cup qualifiers."
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Wales skipper Bellamy has struggled with a long-standing abdominal problem this season and has undergone two bouts of surgery on his groin.
The 28-year-old forward has made just one brief substitute appearance for the Hammers since October as a result, although he could yet make a comeback before the season is out.
"I plan to go up there and speak to the people concerned at the club, and the players themselves"
- John Toshack
Centre back Collins though, suffered cruciate knee ligament damage during a reserve team run-out in January and is earmarked for a return in September.
However, there is no set return date for fellow defender Gabbidon, who has been out since December with a groin problem.
Toshack himself is growing increasingly troubled about the length of time it is taking the players to get over their respective injuries.
"We're very concerned with the whole situation," he said.
"We understand that Bellamy could be back before the end of the season, but Gabbidon is not involved with the group at all.
"Collins we know is pushing it to be ready for September so our centre-back position really has become an area of concern.
"We know that James' injury is going to take time, but with Craig it's been a long, long time now.
"We're guided by what West Ham's doctors say, but we're not getting many positive vibes from them at the moment.
"But for my own peace of mind, I plan to go up there and speak to the people concerned at the club, and the players themselves.
"Apart from Collins, if they're not ready by August, then there's got to be something wrong."
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