Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his disappointment at the loss of Ryan Giggs from a vital Premiership clash at West Ham on November 17.

Instead of appearing for the Red Devils at Upton Park, Giggs will be with the Welsh squad ahead of their European Championship qualifier in Azerbaijan.

With his team looking to consolidate their position following successive wins over Finland and Italy, Wales manager Mark Hughes has decided to invoke the FIFA recognised four-day rule, forcing club bosses to release their players ahead of any international.

Ferguson, who will already be missing injured Roy Keane and Nicky Butt for the capital trip, has questioned Wales' decision to schedule the match in November, when they only played one international (against Italy) during the October break.

And the thaw in relations between club and country which has seen Giggs turn out in friendly matches for Wales under Hughes, now looks to be at an end.

"There was an opportunity for Wales to have played at the same time as everyone else," Ferguson said. "That is where the frustration comes. In the long run I don't think this will help Wales."

But there is good news for Hughes as Newcastle expect Craig Bellamy to be back in action in a fortnight.