MARK Hughes maybe forced to pick an unrecognised international striker for Wales' friendly showdown with the Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium a week tomorrow.

The injury-ravaged Welsh forward-line will have a different look to that fielded against Argentina last month as Newcastle's 14-goal striker Craig Bellamy yesterday confirmed he is pulling himself out of the Cardiff friendly .

Hughes. pictured, will probably start with Newport-born Wolves forward Nathan Blake alongside a yet unknown attacker.

The Welsh manager will be sweating over the fitness of Celtic's 19-goal striker John Hartson, Cardiff City's promising pint-sized attacker Robert Earnshaw and Norwich City's veteran frontman Iwan Roberts, who said the Czech clash would bring the curtain down on his international career.

But the biggest question mark hangs over whether Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, who is carrying a hamstring niggle, will be included, as Sir Alex Ferguson may not want to risk him ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie the following week.

There have been suggestions Hughes might include himself, but that idea seems far-fetched as he named a 26-man squad originally - with seven players on standby - to avoid that situation.

Hughes could look towards Division One promotion-chasers Burnley's 15-goal hitman Gareth Taylor, who is in the squad. Or he could call on either Jason Price or Simon Haworth of Tranmere.

Gary Speed, who has missed Newcastle United's last two matches with a hamstring problem, is confident of facing the Euro 96 finalists, who are currently rated 15th in the world.

Meanwhile, Jason Koumas is in no rush to leave Prenton Park following West Brom's accepted transfer bid to take the Wales international to The Hawthorns.

Midfielder Koumas told West Brom at the end of last week that he would think hard over his decision over the weekend after the clubs agreed an improved £2million offer that could rise to £2.75million depending on appearances.

Koumas, whose girlfriend is expecting their first baby in about 11 weeks, said last week that he would not make a snap decision because his family came first and would have to be consulted.

The 22-year-old started for Tranmere in the 0-0 draw against Bournemouth at Prenton Park on Saturday and he is travelling with the squad for the match at Peterborough tonight.

Boss Dave Watson confirmed: "Jason Koumas is travelling with us to Peterborough and is expected to play."