BROWN SET FOR TOSHACK CALL - - The official of Jason Brown

Press article:

BROWN SET FOR TOSHACK CALL - 27/09/2005

Former Wales Under-21 captain Jason Brown is in line for his first senior call-up following the knee injury which threatens to end goalkeeper Danny Coyne's season and possibly his international career.

Brown, now 23, has not featured for Wales since he became too old for the Under-21s.

His last cap for the youngsters came two years ago against Serbia & Montenegro, just before he was named Wales Young Player of the Year for 2003.

But having had last season ruined through injuries, the Southwark-born goalkeeper is now back as first choice at Gillingham.

And he is almost certain to be called up for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.

Wales boss John Toshack will name his squad on Thursday for the matches in Belfast on October 8 and Cardiff on October 12, and is expected to select Brown as his third goalkeeper.

Burnley goalkeeper Coyne is waiting for confirmation that it was a cruciate knee injury which forced him off after just 12 minutes against Brighton on Saturday.

Burnley expect specialists to confirm tomorrow that 32-year-old Coyne, who has played in all six Wales senior internationals under Toshack, will not be involved again this season.

Turf Moor manager Steve Cotterill said: "I am no doctor, but I am convinced Danny is out for the rest of the season.

"I also damaged my cruciates twice when I was a player, so I know a bit about this.

"He is seeing a specialist and I hope I am wrong, but frankly I cannot see it."

By the time Coyne returns to fitness, he could find Ipswich's Lewis Price and Brown in front of him as Toshack looks to bring in younger players.

Toshack wants to blood Price soon and had earmarked the Azerbaijan game as a likely game for the 21-year-old's senior debut, rather than the match at Windsor Park against an Irish side brimming with confidence after their victory against England.

Wales are expecting a physical battle in Belfast and Toshack may hand veteran Paul Jones his 39th and last cap before being appointed goalkeeping coach.

Jones has been on loan to Millwall this season but is now back at Wolves.

Bristol City's Steven Phillips has also been touted for a possible call-up. The Bath-born 'keeper has Welsh qualifications but has never been selected for a squad.

Toshack has also run the rule over midfielder Carl Fletcher prior to naming his squad.

The West Ham midfielder is out on loan at Watford having failed to play in the Premiership this season, and the Wales chief watched him play at Crewe on Saturday.