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Robert Earnshaw earns Wales recall for friendly

08/08/2008

Robert Earnshaw has been recalled to the Wales squad for the first time in six months ahead of the friendly with Georgia.

The Nottingham Forest striker will join up with John Toshack's squad ahead of the August 20th clash and has been encouraged to make the most of selection.

"This is a chance for Earnie to put a disappointing two years behind him because he has gone backwards - he knows my feelings on it," Toshack explained.

"He knows there are under-21 strikers ready to jump over his head."

Earnshaw was dropped in November after his manager cited his lack of games for 2007-08 Premier League strugglers Derby County.

But after captain Craig Bellamy was forced to withdraw from the national squad after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for his club side West Ham United, 27-year-old Earnshaw has been granted a recall.

"I hope he gets a new lease of life," Toshack added.

"He knows about the threat of the Under-21 lads because we are looking to push Ched Evans and Sam Vokes up into the first team shortly.

"When I first became Wales manager I only had John Hartson, Bellamy and Earnshaw up-front, but now there's competition."

Manchester City teenager Evans and Wolves' Vokes have impressed for the under-21s while Cardiff City striker Paul Parry is recalled after 18 self-imposed months in the international wilderness.

Wales squad to face Georgia in Swansea on August 20th:

Myhill (Hull), Price (Derby), S Evans (Wrexham), Morgan (Peterborough), Ricketts (Hull), A Williams (Swansea), Crofts (Gillingham), A Davies (Nottingham Forest), S Davies (Fulham), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Tudur Jones (Swansea), Koumas (Wigan), Parry (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Stock (Doncaster), Vaughan (Blackpool), Earnshaw (Nottingham F), Easter (Plymouth), Eastwood (Coventry).