DEPLETED Wales flew out to Russia today with key midfielder Robbie Savage defiantly insisting: "Injuries won't stop us reaching Euro 2004."

Mark Pembridge last night officially joined crocked quartet Simon Davies, Craig Bellamy, Robert Page and Adrian Williams on the injury list for Saturday's first-leg Euro 2004 play-off clash in Moscow having failed to recover from a calf strain.

Fulham midfielder Pembridge has a calf problem and will remain at home in a bid to get fit in time for next Wednesday's second leg in Cardiff, when Wales hope to clinch their place in Portugal.

But Hughes's injury-hit team must now set up that Millennium Stadium clash by getting a 'decent result' at the Lokomotiv Stadium without two of their first-choice midfield.

"If I hadn't made it, we'd have none of the midfield from the Italy game," said Birmingham City terrier Savage, who missed training for the third successive day yesterday because of a slight hamstring strain but is on course to play.

"We have always said that, with our 11 strongest players out, as we had against Italy, we could beat anyone in the world.

"But we haven't got that and it's about the players who are here with us.

"I feel for the boys who haven't made it - these are certainly the two biggest games of my career and they will be devastated not to be involved.

"But we can't think about injuries. In the group we could lose and say there's always the next game, but this is our last chance in this campaign and we can't do that anymore.

"The next 180 minutes will decide whether we're heroes or just nearly men.

"People will say we're just like all the other Welsh sides if we lose out now, so we've got to make sure we stick together and if we do that, I'm confident we can do well.

"Being a decent international side now is not about 11 players, it's about a squad of 24 and we have that now.

While Savage should recover in time for the away leg, Wales are hopeful that Page (ankle) could return to the fold for the return.

Nevertheless, Hughes remained positive on the journey to Russia today, adding: "It doesn't make my job any easier because you want your best players available all the time.

"But we haven't had that for a long time, and the absence of certain players will not mean the shape of the team changes.

"Even with these problems the lads are up-beat, confident and believe we can qualify."