19/08/2008 - Gareth bale: Romania game is vital for Wales under-21s
Spurs star Gareth Bale refused to play down the significance of Wales Under-21s' Euro 2009 qualifier against Romania tomorrow.
Bale is one of several senior squad regulars that have been released to junior boss Brian Flynn for the crunch game at the Racecourse in Wrexham.
If Wales win they will secure a play-off match and the chance to become the first Welsh team since 1958 to reach a major finals.
"It's an absolutely massive game," said £5m teenager Bale.
"We want our best team out on the pitch and everyone needs to give 110 per cent to get where we want to be. Hopefully we can qualify and make a bit of history as well."
If Wales fail to win tomorrow, their route to Sweden is not blocked as they play Romania again in Iasi on September 9.
At total of at least two points from those matches will be enough to win Group 10 and bank a play-off.
The 10 group winners and four best runners-up will then advance to the play-offs from October 11 to 15, with the winners joining hosts Sweden in the finals.
"We're in a very exciting position in the group and we know what we have to do to win it," said Flynn.
However, the former Swansea manager has been dealt a blow with the news that midfielder Joe Ledley could miss the match with a back injury sustained playing for Cardiff against Doncaster on Saturday.
He will be assessed by medical staff in Cardiff today when a decision on whether he can play will be taken.
Ledley's withdrawal could cause problems for Flynn, who is already missing defensive trio Lewin Nyatanga, Joe Jacobson and Grant Basey.
Crystal Palace full-back Rhoys Wiggins has been called up as a replacement for injured Charlton man Basey.
Swans youngster Joe Allen is missing because of suspension, but club colleague Shaun Macdonald is expected to start in midfield.
West Ham's Jack Collison has a ligament injury, while Bristol City's Christian Ribeiro is out for a year with serious knee damage.
Oldham Athletic striker Craig Davies has been axed from the squad after being sent off for a head-butt in his side's Carling Cup win against Rochdale last Tuesday.
Wales Under-21 squad: Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Owain Fon Williams (Stockport), Mike Williams (Wrexham), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough), Darcy Blake (Cardiff City), John Brown (Cardiff City), Lloyd James (Southampton), Chris Gunter (Spurs), Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City), Gareth Bale (Spurs), David Edwards (Wolves), Shaun MacDonald (Swansea City), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Sam Vokes (Wolves), Ched Evans (Man City), Simon Church (Reading).
Stand-by: Jonathan North (Watford), Andy King (Leicester), Nicky Adams (Leicester), Josh Klein Davies (Bristol Rovers).
stephen ware