CRAIG Davies has won a Wales recall after 18 months out serving an international suspension.

The 22-year-old Oldham striker has been called up for Wales' friendly against Norway at Wrexham next Wednesday.

Manager John Toshack announced a 24-man squad yesterday at the Racecourse Ground, saying: "Craig has served his ban and has done very well at Oldham, scoring a lot of goals.

"He has had to sit out the last 18 months for a silly incident when he was sent off in an under-21 game. But now he has completed that ban I want to see how much he has improved.'' Davies was sent off in August 2006 in a 3-2 defeat by Israel under-21s for violent conduct and received a five-match competitive international ban.

Toshack has also included West Ham pair Danny Gabbidon and Craig Bellamy, both of whom made their comebacks after long-term injuries in a reserve match at Portsmouth last week.

The Wales boss said: "West Ham have assured us all they need is competitive matches to get their fitness back, and we will hope that by the time the Norway game comes around they will have played another match or two.

"West Ham have another reserve game this week and two league matches before we all meet up on Sunday.'' But Wales have been hit by a serious knee injury to West Ham defender James Collins, who was hurt in the same reserve match which saw his international colleagues make their return from injury.

Collins is not expected to play again this season, and Toshack said: "It is a bitter blow for us.

"James was coming back from injury and suffered a really bad new problem. We are disappointed and he is distraught.'' Wales also play a key UEFA under-21 championship qualifier next Tuesday in Malta, and manager Brian Flynn will have Jack Collison, Aaron Ramsey and Ched Evans at his disposal, although all three could have expected a senior call at this stage of their development.

Toshack said: "We really want to help our under-21s to qualify for the finals after a fantastic win over France last year.

"So I will make sure that Brian has as many of his top youngsters with him rather than have them sit on the bench for a senior international.''