Saunders sure Welsh can get off to a flier

DEAN SAUNDERS believes Wales can "give Russia something to worry about" if they produce a World Cup qualification victory over Azerbaijan tomorrow.

The Welsh assistant manager knows Wales will be fielding a team of raw youngsters in their opening Group Four qualifier at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

The fear is those same kids could be badly exposed next Wednesday when they face Russia in Moscow, but Saunders is confident the Welsh youngsters can get their campaign off to a winning start.

"If we win against Azerbaijan we have some breathing space to say to the Russians 'come and beat us' – it will give them something to worry about," Saunders said.

"In football, unless you win, you are not right, but if you get a good result people take notice. There's always someone who says you are doing something wrong but we have lost five games in the last 19, so we have had a terrific run."

Saunders is acutely aware of the damage that could follow bad defeats for youngsters at this level, but Wales have got little choice over the next week, with another worrying injury list.

"The danger is getting hammered and you never see them again," he said. "Luckily it's gone well for us."