WALES must WIN at Old Trafford against England on Saturday or they can forget about going to the World Cup finals, says legendary midfielder Peter Nicholas.

The 73-times capped former Newport County boss has labelled the Battle of Britain clash as a must win game and says even a draw won't be enough.

He said: "It is a massive, massive game and one that we have to win or we can forget about the World Cup. I really do think that.

"After the draws against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland, we need three points because even a draw will be no use."

Despite this warning Nicholas, who played against the Old Enemy three times including the famous 4-1 victory at the Racecourse Ground in 1980, believes that England could be there for the taking.

He said: "It is going to be very difficult but I don't think it is beyond them. We might be able to catch them cold because a few of their players are not doing so well at the moment.

"(Michael) Owen has gone off the boil a bit as has (David) Beckham and they have lost Steven Gerrard.

"Then they have Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney who have barely kicked a ball in ages. It might be the best possible chance we will have to beat them in England."

He added: "They are under a lot of pressure to not just get to the World Cup finals but to win the thing.

"It will be extremely difficult but we have to go out and give it a go and hope for the best."

Nicholas has watched with interest the situation regarding Mark Hughes' impending departure and he has thrown his weight behind a John Toshack/Brian Flynn partnership.

He said: "It would like to see Toshack involved possibly alongside Brian but I don't know if that will happen.

"Tosh is the one name that jumps off the list and could be the only man who could do it.

"I'm not interested in hearing about Gary Speed getting it because it will need someone with experience.

"It is going to be a tough job no matter because after this qualifying campaign there could be six or seven players retiring.

"Mark Hughes has done a lot to take Wales forward and it will be an even harder job for the new man to take them forward again."