CHARLTON'S John Robinson celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday by playing in a reserve match to decide if he will meet up with the Wales squad.

With Wales set to play Armenia in their World Cup Group Five qualifier on Saturday before travelling to face Norway next Wednesday, Robinson played for Charlton Athletic against Ipswich Town to test his fitness and a decision on whether he will join up with the Wales squad will be made later today.

The midfielder wanted to test his fitness in a reserve match but, after having an operation on a groin injury in pre-season, his lack of match sharpness may keep him out of Mark Hughes' thinking.

Barnsley's Darren Barnard has joined the squad for treatment from the team's doctor on his knee injury, but is only likely to feature in next Wednesday's match against Norway. Swansea goalkeeper Roger Freestone is definitely out injured as are Everton's Mark Pembridge and Newcastle's Gary Speed, while Preston North End's Rob Edwards is receiving treatment with his club in an effort to be fit for Saturday.

The Football Association of Wales are expecting a crowd of less than 20,000 for Saturday's qualifier, which would be a record low attendance at the Millennium Stadium. Just over 10,000 tickets had been sold by today.

This compares with capacity 72,500 crowds for the Arsenal v Liverpool FA Cup final and the Liverpool v Birmingham Worthington Cup final, 48,500 for Wales' World Cup qualifier against Poland and the current record low of 25,654 for the LDV Vans Trophy between Brentford and Port Vale.