FRUSTRATING injuries aside, there's only one thing that could de-rail Wales' express train to Portugal today - and that's complacency.

A dejected Azerbaijan side will step out at the magnificent Millennium Stadium this afternoon with noone giving them a cat in hell's chance of toppling Wales.

But, despite a resurgent Wales flying high at the top of Group Nine with three wonderful wins and now unbeaten in a record-breaking ten games, it's still a highly-dangerous clash at the national stadium.

Wales cannot afford to slip up - a draw, for instance, would be desperately disappointing and hand some of the initiative back to Serbia & Montenegro and Italy in the chasing qualification pack.

But if there was ever a Welsh manager to keep his international stars' feet firmly on the ground, it's Hughes.

I'm sure that "doing your job" and "professional performance" will be the buzz words flying around his changing room just moments before kick off.

"It's a difficult game," admitted Hughes. "Azerbaijan have had difficulties with their domestic league disrupted so they've had no competitive games.

"They may also feel that they've been hard done by so far during this campaign which may bring them together as a group and improve team spirit.

"That has shown in the games they have played because they've improved each time." Hughes will instruct his players to spark a high-tempo assault right from the kick off with the aim of tiring their out-of-match practice opponents down later on.

Wales will rely on their stronger physical presence provided by the likes of John Hartson, Robbie Savage (pictured) and Mark Pembridge to out battle the visitors.

And they'll want to bypass any resistance with speed kings Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy - the latter starting up front despite a turbulent week which saw him summons to appear in court following an alleged public order incident.

Hughes is also mindful of the minor shock that Azerbaijan caused in Belgrade when they snatched a 2-2 draw earlier in the campaign.

And he added: "I think that Azerbaijan's result against Serbia changed people's opinion of them. Without that result, people would have probably thought it would have been an easier game today."

Wales have been hampered by injuries with Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney (knee), Cardiff City's Danny Gabbidon (back), West Brom's Andy Johnson (ankle), the big names to miss out.

It means that 20-year-old Villa man Rob Edwards will make his full international debut at right back to replace clubmate Delaney.

And, elsewhere, Hughes has enough experience, guile and class on the pitch to bag another three points - if all goes to plan.

The only real question mark hangs over whether Hughes will keep faith with Southampton 'keeper Paul Jones, who has found himself out of favour at the St Mary's Stadium, or opt for the in-form Middlesbrough man Mark Crossley.

Birmingham City midfielder Robbie Savage and Celtic striker John Hartson will, for me, be key men in this encounter and all eyes will be on whether Bellamy can produce another masterful display - despite his troubles.

Victory would keep the qualification train going full-steam ahead and Hughes knows the importance of not stumbling now.

"After the start we have had, we need to keep our noses in front and we'll tick the games off one by one," he pointed out.

"Then, if we continue to do well, you would think that it would be very difficult for the teams to make the gap up with the games that are remaining.

"But we'll still not favourites to qualify because there's still very difficult fixtures ahead"