MARK Hughes believes his Welsh stars will be sharper than their Italian counterparts in Saturday's pivotal Euro 2004 qualifier - and he hopes that could tip the balance in Milan.

Hughes' heroes have been playing domestic football for two weeks in the Premiership and Scottish Premier League while Serie A only started at the weekend.

And the Wales boss insists: "That could give Wales a big advantage.

"The Italians won't have any problems with fitness levels but we will be ahead of them in match sharpness and match-fitness."

Hughes leads his Group Nine pace-setters into the San Siro cauldron against the second-placed Azzurri in one of the biggest games in Welsh football history.

But Hughes maintains: "We are more than capable of getting a result.

"We'll have to play to the best of our abilities and it will be a test, but I think we're going into an environment that will stimulate the players to raise their game."

Like Wales, Italy face a tough ten-day period. Following their Welsh encounter, Giovanni Trappattoni's men face a tricky trip to Serbia and Montenegro. And Hughes is looking for his men to harass Italy and cause them to buckle under the tension.

"Italy need to win on Saturday and they are under immense pressure to do so," said the Manchester United legend. "So we hope to capitalise.

"We don't underestimate the qualities their players have but we also have quality performers who can compete."

Hughes insists he'll stick with the same battle-plan that failed in Serbia last month - but also won five successive competitive outings.

"Everybody seems to think that because we go with one up-front that it is a defensive formation," he said, "but that's not the case.

"When we attack, I expect a minimum of three players to be getting forward."

Hughes added: "We have undergone four years of hard work and we're at a point where we're hopefully going to get some reward.

"Italy, though, are in very good shape now. Since our win against them in October, they've got stronger and stronger.

"If we achieve any kind of parity with that performance on Saturday we'll go very close to winning."

Hughes insists he is optimistic that his injured trio will be fit for Wales' Italian test.

Newcastle United pace ace Craig Bellamy (knee) and defensive duo Danny Gabbidon of Cardiff City and Fulham's Andy Melville (both foot) are all struggling.

However, Hughes said: "We are very hopeful they will pull through.

"They are important players for us. Danny does give us that pace which does help in international football and he can stamp his authority on big games from his first tackle.

"Craig is vitally important because he give us that threat of pace in behind teams which you need at international level."

Celtic striker John Hartson has linked up with Wales squad at their Vale of Glamorgan base and Hughes said: "He is extremely buoyant."