NATHAN Blake last night opened-up on his desperation to prove his fitness for the biggest two games of his football life, writes Peter Shuttleworth.

The Newport-raised Wolverhampton Wanderers striker has been having extensive treatment on a hamstring strain and is frantically trying to shrug-off the problem in the hope to play some part in Wales' Euro 2004 two-legged play-off showdown with the Russians.

The 31-year-old said: "I wasn't in the Wolves squad to play Birmingham on Saturday as a precaution.

"My hamstring has been feeling very tight but a scan on Friday revealed there was no tear.

"I've been having treatment all weekend to try and alleviate the problem.

"It is improving every day and I have until Wednesday to prove my fitness to the Welsh medical staff.

"I'm desperate to shrug it off. These two play-off with Russia is a monumental game for me let alone Wales and I want to involved.

"I never like missing matches of any kind, with my club or country, but this one I just have to be involved in."

Wales v Russia part one is only five days away and Moscow's Lokomotiv Stadium is the venue before Mark Hughes brings his men back to Wales for the second-leg in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium four days later Welsh manager Hughes said: "We are hoping that Nathan and all the lads currently struggling with injuries can prove their fitness."

Fulham midfielder Mark Pembridge (calf), Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Simon Davies (thigh), Sheffield United centre-back Robert Page (ankle) and Reading defender Adrian Williams (knee) are all set to report to Wales' Vale of Glamorgan HQ today struggling to be fit for the play-off.

"They are major worries," admitted Hughes. "But I won't fully know their chance of playing against Russia until our medical staff have checked them over today."

Robbie Savage, who had been doubtful with an Achilles tendon problem, gave Hughes a much-needed lift as he played in Birmingham's 1-1 Premiership draw at Wolves on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Blues midfielder revealed today: "With Ryan Giggs and John Hartson in the side we can score goals.

"And I think we can do that in Moscow and set up a grandstand second-leg at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday week."