Speed has raised Wales’ fans hopes

WALES manager Gary Speed wants his side to show they can handle an increased sense of expectation when they face Switzerland in Swansea tonight.

Wales may only have picked up their first points of their Euro 2012 Group G campaign with a 2-1 victory over Montenegro last month but that win and an encouraging display in a 1-0 defeat to England mean fans can look forward with optimism.

Although currently bottom, Wales can still finish third in the group and Speed believes if his players can learn to deal with heightened confidence among supporters it will stand them in good stead for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

“The way the group started was disappointing,” he said.

“But with me coming in as a new manager we had to put certain things in place before we talked about results. We will need to improve a lot more and in every game we need to make a progression if we are to get where we want to be.”

Darcy Blake is again set to partner Ashley Williams in defence with QPR’s Danny Gabbidon also on a lengthy injury list that includes Robert Earnshaw, James Collins, Danny Collins, Joe Ledley, Andy King and Jack Collison. David Vaughan and Craig Bellamy are available again after missing out against England through suspension.

Ledley’s absence means that Swansea midfielder Joe Allen is set for his first international start, with Wolves’ Dave Edwards likely to be on the bench.