MARK Hughes' preparations for Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier in Azerbaijan have been thrown into disarray after a FIFA U-turn which permits the spine of the Welsh side to play for their clubs just three days before the Baku showdown.

The quintet of Manchester United idol Ryan Giggs, Robbie Savage of Birmingham City, Everton's Mark Pembridge, Andy Melville of Fulham and Celtic's John Hartson have been cleared to play for their clubs on November 17 after FIFA sensationally back-tracked on their controversial four-day rule.

Last night, FIFA, the world game's governing body, said Wales boss Hughes was within his rights to call up his squad on the Saturday evening prior to his country's vital Group Nine clash in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, November 20 because of the status of the game, which ruled the five out of league games for their clubs.

However, a FIFA spokesman today confirmed that an amendment had been incorporated into existing statutes, declaring that on 'non-competitive' match-days, players could only be called to duty 48 hours in advance.

And, because this month's international date has been designated for friendlies, Wales cannot invoke the now infamous four-day rule.

Hughes' men were due to play in Azerbaijan next June but the Football Association of Wales re-arranged the fixture due to the severe heat in the Eastern block state in the summer and as the clash would be more than a month after the football season in Britain had ended.

There had been much confusion surrounding this issue and Birmingham chief David Sullivan had hinted his club may take legal action if midfielder Savage was forced to miss the Blues' Premiership game with Fulham.

And today, he reacted: "I'm absolutely thrilled. It is great that common-sense has prevailed and it is great news for Birmingham because we know what an influence that Robbie Savage has been.

"Let's make it clear, we want to help Wales all we can and I hope that they get to the Euro finals and we will help anyway that is possible.

"But this is about there being a relationship between clubs and country, not a war. We will do all we can to assist but wanted them to show a bit of leeway as well."

Savage himself admitted: "If I was pressed on the issue then I'd rather turn out for Birmingham against Fulham in the Premiership simply in the hope of collecting valuable points for my club"

But he added: "My emotions towards Wales are near identical for Birmingham. But I will do everything I can to help Wales' cause."

A FIFA spokesman said: "Four days is the general rule but as this is only a day for friendly internationals, it becomes 48 hours.

"We issued a letter to Birmingham last night to clarify the situation and apologise for any confusion which has arisen over the issue."

Meanwhile, Newcastle United striker Craig Bellamy has been picked in the unchanged squad despite a recurrence of a knee problem but Hughes admitted he still remains a serious doubt.

Wales squad: P Jones, M Crossley, D Ward, D Coyne, A Melville, R Page, M Delaney, D Barnard, D Gabbidon, R Weston, G Speed, M Pembridge, R Savage, S Davies, C Robinson, A Johnson, P Trollope, J Koumas, P Evans, R Giggs, J Hartson, N Blake, C Bellamy, G Taylor, R Earnshaw.