ASHLEY WILLIAMS is ready to put pain to one side in a desperate attempt to bring Wales some sort of joy in 2010.
Wales captain Williams looked a major doubt to even make the plane to Basel after suffering an ankle injury in the closing stages of the demoralising 1-0 home defeat to Bulgaria on Friday.
But after scans confirmed no serious damage, Williams declared his intention to caretaker-manager Brian Flynn of leading the side out here in Switzerland, clearly more concerned with the hurt felt on Friday night than the one in his ankle.
Williams conceded he has rarely felt as down as he did after the defeat that all but ended hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.
But the mood has been consistent with the majority of the year for Wales, a solitary friendly win over Luxembourg the one success out of the five games to date.
Injuries or not – and there are plenty right now for Wales on top of suspensions and other various withdrawals – Williams does not want the disappointment to carry on.
“It was hurting and really sore on Saturday morning,” the 26-year-old Swansea City man said of his ankle.
“I had to go for an X-ray and it didn’t look good.
“We’ve suffered a bit with injuries and I guess you can’t help it.
“It happens and if you can’t play you can’t play. I’m sure everyone would if they could.
“All I know is that I gave it everything to make sure I can be there because I’m desperate to play.
“I don’t want to go away from this game feeling like I did on Saturday morning.
“That’s what really hurt and it’s down there with the lowest points of my career.
“We had been really confident about things going into the Bulgaria game, looking forward to it and full of belief.
“Then to have such a disappointing performance and result after that it just made it all worse.
“But we have a chance now to lift everything because we want to go on with points on the board, and with a lot more confidence than perhaps we do right now.
“If we had gone home after the game we would have all been quite down and had it playing on our minds for a long time.
“Now there is an opportunity to take three points and put everything else behind us.”
Williams’ expected availability – bar a breakdown during this morning’s light training – means Flynn has been at least saved from any further losses to an already dangerously depleted squad, as many as 16 players unavailable for the game at St Jakob’s Park.
But it looks as though Williams will be given some relief and move back into his much-preferred centre-back position after struggling in central midfield against the Bulgarians.
Although he has admitted himself his performance was poor, some of the criticism that has come his way has been unfair given his natural role is at the back with the game in front of him.
Williams said: “I’m a defender and a centre-back – but I will play where I’m asked,” said the 23-times capped Williams.
“And wherever that is I’ll do it to the best of my ability.
“I certainly haven’t said to the manager I want to play in a certain position.
“I’ll just play where I’m asked.
“It’s for others to voice their opinions about it. I’m a defender by trade so centre-half is always going to be my choice.
“But I’ll play wherever the team needs me.”
Kranjcar: Rooney to blame for malaise
Montenegro manager Zlatko Kranjcar has said ahead of his side's clash with England at Wembley that Wayne Rooney's recent poor form is of his own making.
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Vucinic: Montenegro ready to shock
Rooney has scored only once for Manchester United this season with fitness issues and revelations about his private life taking their toll on the striker.
He did score in his last outing for England though - a 3-1 win over Switzerland in September - and Kranjcar expects Rooney to use Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier to rebuild his confidence.
"I am sure it is very difficult for Rooney - but he got himself into this situation," Kranjcar said. "He has big difficulties handling it psychologically. There is a lot of pressure on the player, so he is in a very difficult situation right now.
"I believe the chance to play tomorrow will help his self-confidence and restore his game. "One thing is for sure, England are definitely a better side with Wayne Rooney than they are without him."
England manager Fabio Capello certainly has no fears about Rooney, who was initially a doubt for Tuesday's game due to an akle problem.
"I spoke with Sir Alex (Ferguson) who told me, when I decided the squad, that Rooney would be fit because the ankle problem was not so big," Capello said. "I spoke with Rooney about the situation, his situation. I monitored him during the training and he trained perfectly, really well.
"I think it's important to monitor the players in training. You can understand a lot of things from that. He's focused on the game. He's happy. He's smiling a lot. He's in a good moment, better than he was when we played against Switzerland."
Montenegro may only have a population of 350,000 but the country have made a stunning start to their qualification campaign, a win over Switzerland on Friday taking them top of Group G with nine points from three games.
England, who have played a game less, will draw level at the top of the table with a victory at Wembley on Tuesday and Kranjcar knows his side will struggle to maintain their recent form, even against an England team missing a range of players due to injury.
"If we could get a positive result against England, it would be a great thing for the whole nation," he said. "But you could say that about every country that plays here.
"After three wins at the start of this group, we can be quietly confident things can continue to go well for us. We are aware that the England team is very strong but we go into the game without any fear and are determined to show what we are capable of and get a result we are happy with.
"England do have some injury problems but it doesn't matter who is on the field for them, it will still be difficult for us. However, it is our intention to make a good impression at one of the temples of football."
TEAM NEWS: Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano start for Italy in Euro 2012 qualifier against Serbia
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has announced he will be making four changes to the Azzurri line-up when they take on Serbia in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Tuesday evening.
"I have to be honest and admit that I did think about using two centre-forwards with Antonio Cassano behind them,” Prandelli told a pre-match press conference. "But without De Rossi I had to change my plans.
"I don't have a clone for him so I had to change shape.
The Sampdoria duo will lead the Azzurri strike force, as Prandelli highlighted Pazzini as a potentially key player.
"I chose Pazzini because he has the right movements to face Serbia," the coach stated.
"I also expect more from Cassano, as well as everyone else and that includes me. This is his stadium and I’m sure the fans will push us on."
Emiliano Viviano will start between the posts once again while Gianluca Zambrotta, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Domenico Criscito will make up the back four.
Stefano Mauri, Andrea Pirlo, Angelo Palombo and Claudio Marchisio will start in midfield for the Azzurri, and Prandelli knows that whoever wins this match will have an excellent chance of securing a spot for the tournament in Ukraine and Poland.
"Whoever wins out of us will take three points, but they will also take a great advantage in the qualification race," added Prandelli. "We will also need to pay attention to [Milos] Krasic. He has great dribbling skills and can ease past players.
"Serbia have individuals who can win games by themselves, they also have great personality and pride. But we too have our strengths," he concluded.
Germany lose Jerome Boateng for Kazakhstan clash
Manchester City and Germany defender Jerome Boateng will miss Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Kazakhstan due to a bout of flu.
However, the versatile defender will not be available for coach Joachim Low after being laid low by the virus.
Germany are also awaiting news on whether playmaker Mesut Ozil will be available for the tie in Astana.
The Real Madrid star sustained an ankle injury in the victory over Turkey.
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