David made wrong move - Toshack

DAVID CUFFLEY Wales boss John Toshack has welcomed Norwich City's top striker back into the international fold - at the same time suggesting another of his strike force may have been better off at Carrow Road.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Wales boss John Toshack has welcomed Norwich City's top striker back into the international fold - at the same time suggesting another of his strike force may have been better off at Carrow Road.

Robert Earnshaw has been recalled for the friendly against New Zealand at Wrexham on May 26 and the European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic in Cardiff on June 2. But 19-year-old David Cotterill, who was hours away from joining the Canaries for £2m on the last day of the August transfer window, has been axed, with his national team boss questioning the wisdom of his late decision to sign for Wigan.

Cotterill has failed to make the big breakthrough at the JJB stadium, starting just six games for Wigan.

And Toshack, who also dropped Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy, said: “They will be disappointed, but they are not as disappointed as I am.

“For Cotterill, the move to Wigan does not seem to have gone particularly well for him. He almost joined Norwich and then changed at the last minute.

“He has not looked as sharp in training as he had done previously, when he was still at Bristol City.

“I have spoken to Duffy and Cotterill and explained my reasons. The last few times they have been with us, we were not entirely happy with them. They could have done more, they have not shown up in training as much as they had previously.”

Cotterill's proposed move to Norwich after hectic negotiations, on the day Leon McKenzie was sold to Coventry, was all but signed and sealed until Wigan's eleventh hour intervention.

Meanwhile, the return of Earnshaw, who has played two full matches for City and made two appearances as a substitute since his comeback from a groin injury, was welcomed by Toshack, who has also included Southend's Freddy Eastwood in his squad.

“What we can say is that we do at least have a bit more competition in that area,” said Toshack.

“We'll see how Eastwood goes, then there's Earnshaw who will only have played a few games after coming back from injury. I'm pleased he is back playing.

“For an international side, you have to say we're so limited up front.”

City boss Peter Grant gave a cautious welcome to Earnshaw's recall but stressed again that they would be keeping a close eye on him while he is with Wales.

“We will be talking to Wales and putting a training programme together for Earnie,” said Grant.

“It's important that he is looked after. I'm pleased that one of the games is a qualifying match because I thought at one stage they were just friendlies.”