Football: Giggs doubt for Wales

RYAN GIGGS was yesterday selected for Wales's end-of-season friendly in Estonia on 23 May, even though he is due to go into hospital for a tonsillectomy around the same time.

Giggs and his Manchester United colleague, Mark Hughes, feature in a 16-strong squad named by Mike Smith, who is seeking his first win after returning as manager after a 15-year absence.

His first match back ended in a 2-0 defeat against Sweden at Wrexham last month, when both Hughes and Giggs were missing. However, even if they come through Saturday's Cup final unscathed, it seems highly unlikely that Giggs will go because of his hospital date.

Hughes, who has a testimonial at Old Trafford against Celtic on Monday, may also be keen to put his feet up after the championship season.

Smith must already do without the Leicester striker, Iwan Roberts, and Derby's Mark Pembridge, who are both involved in the Endsleigh League play-offs.

The Newcastle defender Alan Neilson, who made his full debut at Wrexham, keeps his place and there is a first chance for Adrian Williams, who helped Reading take the Second Division title.

WALES SQUAD (Friendly international v Estonia, Tallinn, 23 May): Southall (Everton), Roberts (QPR); Bodin (Swindon), Bowen, Goss (both Norwich), Phillips (Nottm Forest), Young, Coleman (both Crystal Palace), Neilson (Newcastle), Williams (Reading), Melville (Sunderland), Horne (Everton), Speed (Leeds), Hughes, Giggs (both Man Utd), Rush (Liverpool). Stand-by players: Freestone (Swansea); Ready (QPR), Jones (Sheff Wed), Blackmore (Man Utd), Hughes (Luton).