Thursday 4 September 2014 18:32, UK
Wolves defender Sam Ricketts has become the fourth player to withdraw from the Wales squad for Tuesday's opening European qualifier against Andorra.
Ricketts suffered an injury in training on Tuesday and will be replaced by 35-year-old Danny Gabbidon, who rejoined Cardiff City earlier this week as a player-coach.
Defenders Adam Matthews and James Collins had already pulled out along with striker Hal Robson-Kanu, forcing manager Chris Coleman to call up Declan John, Paul Dummett and Jake Taylor.
Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is confident that Wales can "make big things happen" in their qualifying group.
"It sounds obvious to say it, but the start is vital. You want to get off the mark with a quick three points," Allen said.
We've got the belief and confidence we can make a good start and make big things happen in this group. It is a long road, but every minute we are together counts towards that end goal.
"We've got the belief and confidence we can make a good start and make big things happen in this group. It is a long road, but every minute we are together counts towards that end goal.
"The change in the amount of teams that qualify has given us a boost. That, coupled with the players we've got, we are really confident we can hit the ground running.
"It is a group filled with tough teams, but we feel we can compete with them all."
Wales face Andorra on a new 3G artificial playing surface at the National Stadium but Allen is not worried.
He said: "It doesn't matter what pitch we play on, whatever surface, our focus on is how we play and perform.
"We would prefer to play on grass, that's what we do week in week out and it's an obvious preference.
"But we've all played on artificial surfaces enough times to know what to expect from it, and it's not a problem."
Coleman will travel with a squad that contains star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, and their combined impact is not lost on Allen.
"We've got the likes of Gareth and Aaron, who have played consistently at the highest level for their clubs, and they are going to bring that to the table for us as well, which is fantastic," he added.
"We expect to perform, and we have the quality to win the game. It's as simple as that, really.
"There is strong competition for places, and that always breeds success.
"No-one can rest on their laurels. They know if they take their eye off the ball and don't perform to the level expected, then someone else is going to take their place.
"In training, you can see the standards have improved, and that can only hold us in good stead, really."
Watch Wales' European Qualifier away to Andorra live on Sky Sports 5 HD on Tuesday, with coverage underway from 7pm.
