HIGHLY-rated young Welsh defender Daniel Gabbidon (pictured) is keeping his fingers crossed Mark Hughes will give him his international debut in the Millennium Stadium friendly against the Czech Republic in a fortnight.

The 22-year-old Panteg-born starlet has impressed for Cardiff City in Division Two this season and is now "hopeful" his career can move forward and he can win his first Welsh cap.

But a typically modest Gabbidon said: "I am hopeful that I can get a run out, but just to be involved in the national team set-up is fantastic.

"I am not going to plead to Mark (the Wales manager) to play me because he has obviously got his own ideas on what he is going to do. However, if I could start or go on as a substitute I would be absolutely ecstatic.

Former Cwmbran Town youngster Gabbidon was drafted into Wales' squad before their last World Cup qualifying match in Cardiff against Belarus and also joined the squad before their recent friendly against Argentina.

"Welsh football is on the up at the moment and it's great to be a part of it," smiled Gabbidon. "Mark is doing a great job and all the players respect him and want to play for him. There are top-class players in the Wales set-up who are playing at the top of their game - it is currently an exiting time for Welsh football."

Hughes has hinted that the 5ft 10in defender is in the forefront of his thoughts as is Tranmere Rovers playmaker Jason Koumas, 22, as he looks to bleed new players for the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign which starts in Finland in early September. Hughes believes, Holland aside, that the Czech Republic are the best team not to be playing in this year's World Cup.

"They fully expected to be going to the World Cup because they are a quality side," he said. "They will be missed because they have got some wonderful players who won't be able to show their skills.

"A lot of Czech players ply their trade in this country and we know a lot about them. Hopefully it will create a little interest with the Welsh public because there will be a few very well-known players playing and we gave them a lot to shout about last time against Argentina."

The Czech Republic are ranked 15th in the world and have well-known players like national team captain and Juventus play-maker Pavel Nedved, Borussia Dortmund striker Jan Koller, Lazio midfielder Karel Poborksy and Liverpool duo Vladimir Smicer and Patrik Berger.

Hughes will be without Craig Bellamy (knee) and Matthew Jones (cruciate knee ligament) for the clash on March 27 (7.15pm) while Robert Earnshaw, Kit Symons and Gary Speed are doubtful.

Wales squad : Jones (Soton), Crossley (M'boro), Ward (Notts For), Coyne (Grimsby), Delaney (A Villa), Jenkins (Hud'field), Melville (Fulham), Symons (C Palace), Page (Sheff Utd), Gabbidon (Cardiff), Barnard (Barnsley), Robinson (Charlton), Koumas (Tranmere), Johnson (WBA), Pembridge (Everton), Davies (Tottenham), Robinson (Wolves), Savage (Leicester), Blake (Wolves), Speed, Bellamy (both N'castle), Taylor (Burnley), Earnshaw (Cardiff), Roberts (Norwich), Hartson (Celtic), Giggs (Man Utd) Stand-by: Price, Roberts, Haworth (all Tranmere), Fowler (Coventry), Trollope (Fulham), Edwards (Notts For), Vaughan (Crewe). l Tickets £5-£15 can be obtained from Ticketline on 02920-230130.