WALES assistant manager Mark Bowen wants his country to play the star-studded Italians at the Millennium Stadium early in the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign while confidence in the Welsh camp is high.

And Mark Hughes right-hand-man added that injuries to Craig Bellamy and captain Gary Speed will give Nathan Blake and Jason Koumas a chance to perform on the international stage in Wales two Spring friendly clashes with the Czech Republic and Germany in Cardiff.

"The way the boys are playing at the moment it would be nice to play Italy first at the Millennium Stadium so we can carry on the momentum," said Bowen, who is also first team coach at Nationwide First Division outfit Birmingham City. "But every game will be competitive."

The fixture list for 'The Road To Portugal' Group Nine - which also includes Yugoslavia, Finland and outsiders Azerbaijan - are due to be thrashed out at meeting in Cardiff on Monday when soccer chiefs from all five countries will draw-up the list.

Bowen added: "Confidence is very high in the Welsh team at the moment and presuming everyone is fit and playing well on the day we can give the Italians more than a game.

"We would like Italy first and straight after the World Cup because if they have a poor World Cup they could be a lot of unrest in the camp and might be going through a rebuilding period.

"Or if their World Cup is successful it could still be beneficial for Wales as they might their foot off the gas and be complacent.

"But Italy will romp home with the group," predicted Bowen. "Whereas we will be pushing Yugoslavia and Finland for the second place spot where we could get into a play-off."

Bowen and Hughes were obviously disappointed that Newcastle United pair Bellamy and Speed are currently on the treatment table although 67-times capped midfielder Speed could be fit for the visit of the Czech Republic, ranked 15th in the world, on Wednesday, March 27.

Bellamy will be sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury which will probably mean he will miss the Germany clash on May 14 as well as the Czech Republic showdown. Bowen said: "It would have been nice for both of them to be fit to keep the momentum going in the forthcoming friendlies.

"But it doesn't matter all that much because it gives Nathan Blake and Jason Koumas a chance to prove themselves."