WELSH football hero Peter Nicholas believes Wales face an almost impossible task in trying to qualify for the 2008 European Championships.

The former Newport County manager's advice to John Toshack is to plan ahead for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Wales were paired alongside the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and San Marino in yesterday's draw in Montreux, Switzerland, but Nicholas, Wales' fourth most capped player, believes hope is already lost.

The 72 times capped midfielder explained: "We have been given one hell of a tough draw, difficult isn't a word that even does it justice.

"Looking at the squad Wales have now, we can have no realistic expectations about qualifying, we just aren't in a position to compete with Germany or the Czech Republic, or Ireland for that matter.

"Germany and the Czechs are both potential World Cup winning sides, Ireland are excellent and have been a mainstay at the top of qualification groups for nearly 20 years and Cyprus are also a very dangerous side.

"If John Toshack achieves qualification from that group he won't be known as John Toshack anymore, he'll be known as God!"

Nicholas fully supports Toshack's policy of bringing in young players immediately and believes as such that Toshack's aim should be qualification for the 2010 World Cup or 2012 European Championships.

"Tosh wants to play the kids and he's right to do so, we are in a transitional period and going to places like Germany and the Czech Republic is fantastic preparation for what life is like in international football," he said.

"The supporters can have a great time in Ireland and it can be a very positive campaign compared to the chaos of the World Cup qualifiers, but we all know we need to rebuild and qualification isn't going to happen this time around.

"I particularly rate the Czech Republic, I would say that behind England they are the best nation in European football at the moment. I think they will win the group. I would expect Germany and Ireland to contest second spot, but hopefully we can still enjoy a productive campaign."