CROCKED defender Daniel Gabbidon has urged his Welsh team-mates to keep getting that sweet smell of success when the unknowns of Bosnia visit the Millennium Stadium next month.

Welsh soccer chiefs last night officially confirmed that the Cardiff friendly - the first meeting between the two nations - will go-ahead on Wednesday, February 12 (7.45pm) as Mark Hughes looks to continue the feel-good factor in Welsh football.

But Gabbidon warned his international colleagues not to take their opponents lightly, reminding them that this time last year Wales were hardly a major force.

Now they've rocketed up the world rankings and are in pole position in Group Nine on the road to the European Championship finals in Portugal next year.

"There is expectation among the public now that we should win every game," said the 23-year-old Cardiff City centre-back.

"We would rather that anticipation, now our performances must live up to and surpass those expectations. "I know it's only a friendly but we need to keep the Millennium Stadium the fortress that it is.

"A win would keep the confidence brimming and it is important to enter the double-header against Azerbaijan and Yugoslavia in the Spring in a positive frame of mind.

"We cannot and will not under-estimate Bosnia, though. We were almost of an unknown this time last year.

Since then, we haven't lost and have built up a head of steam, so we are desperate to keep that going.

"The so-called lesser teams of European football like Bosnia are improving all the time and will be a test, similar to the one we'll face when we meet Yugoslavia.

"We are playing well. We don't want a defeat at this crucial stage in any game. That might affect confidence."

Panteg-born Gabbidon has been sidelined for almost two months with a back problem but is keen to play in the Bosnia clash after missing the fixture in Azerbaijan.

"Hopefully I can play and get back into playing international football before we play Azerbaijan in Cardiff (on March 29)," he added.

Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence believes Gabbidon is almost ready for a return to action and a behind-closed-doors friendly against Swansea City was arranged on Tuesday for him to make his comeback but the Vetch Field pitch was frozen.