Hughes insists Jones is Wales' first choice

Mark Hughes, the Wales manager, has told Paul Jones he will always be his No 1 goalkeeper. Jones has had a dispute with Gordon Strachan, the Southampton manager, after being axed for his club's game against Newcastle at the weekend and has been told he can leave the club in the January transfer window.

Jones, 36, who has had an excellent start to the season but was blamed for the goal that saw Middlesbrough win at St Mary's recently, has been told by Strachan that Antti Niemi will be Southampton's No 1 from now on.

It is hardly the perfect preparation for Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier against Serbia and Montenegro in Cardiff on Saturday, but Hughes said: "I have spoken to Paul, he's not very happy with his situation and obviously feels that he has had a good start to the season and should not have gone out of the Southampton side. But I've reassured him that he is still my No 1. Absolutely."

Hughes is awaiting a fitness report on Rob Edwards, who injured a knee in pre-season. The 21-year-old Aston Villa full-back has only just returned to action. Hughes could be considering giving Edwards his second cap and playing his Villa team-mate Mark Delaney at centre-back in place of the injured Robert Page.

Wales also have injury problems over Birmingham's Robbie Savage and the Tottenham winger Simon Davies. Savage has missed a week of club training and did not play at Manchester United on Saturday due to an Achilles problem.