Hughes: We need mental and physical strength

Mark Hughes is relying on the mental strength of the Wales players to get their Euro 2004 qualifying bid back on track.

The 4-0 defeat by Italy in Milan was their second successive reverse in Group Nine and left them trailing the Azzurri by one point with two games remaining.

Victory over Finland in Cardiff on Wednesday would secure second spot and a play-off place, but the Welsh have injury and suspension problems to cope with.

Craig Bellamy, Robbie Savage and Mark Delaney are all suspended after receiving bookings against Italy, while defender Danny Gabbidon is out with a heel injury. Fulham midfielder Mark Pembridge (knee) is also a doubt and manager Hughes has very limited options when regular firstteam players are unavailable.

He said: "We need mental and physical strength now. Physically we are not in great shape because of the injuries but mentally I expect my players to come through. We need to stick together.

"We had an experience in Italy and I hope we learn from it because we have got to bounce back. We have had a good period and this is a more difficult one.