MARK Hughes might just unleash the phenomena that is Robert Earnshaw on the Finns tonight as he could prove to be Wales' lucky charm.
The 22-year-old speed demon has crashed two goals in as many Wales games at the Millennium Stadium while his other visit to the capital's awesome arena was to win promotion to Division One with Cardiff City in May's Second Division play-off final.
Bedwas-raised Earnshaw, who broke Cardiff's goal-scoring record of 35 goals last term, didn't score on that memorable afternoon against QPR and was actually off the pitch when Andy Campbell plundered the eventual winner.
Nevertheless, with those fond memories in mind, the Zambian-born striker is eager to line-up against Finland in their Euro 2004 qualification Group Nine match-up tonight. "I'm dying to play, it's as simple as that," beamed an enthusiastic Earnshaw.
"The Millennium Stadium has been a great ground for me personally so hopefully I can continue that good run tonight because I'd love to score and get Wales the points. I don't know what the manager's going to do but if I'm starting, I'll do a good job for the team on my lucky ground. But I'm taking nothing for granted."
Earnshaw scored on his international debut, firing home the winner in a pre-World Cup friendly against eventual competition winners Germany. Then the livewire netted again in a February friendly draw with Bosnia.
"The highlight was probably the Germany game because that is the highest-level I can play," he said. "And to score the winner against the eventual World Cup finalists, you can't get higher than that."
With Wales recovering from back-to-back defeats in Serbia and Montenegro and Italy, Earnie insists Hughes' men will show their 'inner determination' tonight.
And with Hughes forced to make personnel changes due to injuries and suspensions, Earnshaw, who is set to be a straight swap for banned Craig Bellamy, believes the new blood will give Wales added bite.
"After what happened in Italy on Saturday, maybe the fresh blood can boost the team and give that little bit of drive. We've got the players to come in and do a good job.
"In Azerbaijan we were savaged by injuries, but players came in and we got a win."
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