By Chris O'Brien
February 2 2005

Ex-Bluebird John Toshack has named three Cardiff City players in his first Wales squad since being reinstated as Welsh boss. Daniel Gabbidon, Robert Page and Rhys Weston are named in the 20-man squad, but there is no place for in-form centre-half James Collins.

Three Bluebirds have been named in John Toshack's Wales squad for the upcoming friendly against Hungary at the Millennium Stadium. Daniel Gabbidon, Robert Page and Rhys Weston have been included in the first list of players named by Toshack since being re-appointed by the FAW following the departure of Mark Hughes.

There was surprise as Toshack decided not to include James Collins in the Welsh squad. The controversial former Bluebirds forward has opted against including the in-form Collins, who is ironically keeping Page out of the Bluebirds line-up. After a shocking performance against Northern Ireland, Tosh has decided to go with experience and Collins will, instead, skipper the Under-21's. The defender, nicknamed 'Ginger Monster', is joined by team-mate left wing Joe Ledley.

The Under-21's face Germany in a World Cup Qualifier at Wrexham's Racecourse. Arguably, the competitive clash at the North Welsh ground is a more important fixture than the one at the Millennium Stadium so Collins' experience may be needed to support a poor Welsh youth set-up.

Full Squad: Coyne (Burnley), Crossley (Fulham), Collins (Sunderland), Edwards (Wolves), Gabbidon (Cardiff City), Page (Cardiff City), Partridge (Motherwell), Ricketts (Swansea), Roberts (Tranmere), Weston (Cardiff City), Davies (Tottenham), Fletcher (West Ham), Giggs (Man Utd), Koumas (West Brom), Robinson (Sunderland), Savage (Blackburn), Williams (West Ham), Bellamy (Newcastle), Earnshaw (West Brom), Hartson (Celtic).

Hungary visit Cardiff for Toshack's first game in charge on February 9th. The day before, Collins looks set to skipper the Under-21's as the embark on a World Cup qualifying campaign. Good luck to the five Bluebirds representing Wales on international duty.