Mark Hughes returned from the USA defeat insisting Wales are embarking on their most exciting period in many years.

The Wales chief has rightly brushed aside any negative thoughts after his patched-up side lost 2-0 to USA in San Jose - their last game before their Euro 2004 crunch early next season when they play three vital qualifiers in 22 days.

The USA defeat is being viewed as a relatively unimportant sideshow to the main event.

Hughes said: "I would like to think this is going to be the most exciting period in many years for Welsh football."

"There is a lot of expectation in Wales but the lads really understand there is plenty of hard work to come and that encourages me.

"We are in the driving seat, we've got a cushion in our group and we'll hope that other teams will start running out of games to catch us.

"We're in a better position than we might have hoped for initially.

"But I hope the best nights are to come. We've got some great games coming up and if the results and performances continue at the level they need to, we will have even better nights."

Wales play Serbia-Montenegro next, with games against Italy and Finland following in quick succession.

Hughes will be praying Serbia fail to win at least one of their two away games on June 7 and 11 against Azerbaijan and Finland. Any slip-up would let Wales in to virtually cement second spot in Group Nine during their next three game spell.

Hughes added: "I actually think I will feel more positive going into the Serbia game because I've been encouraged by some of the performances produced in the USA friendly.

"Jason Koumas showed a lot of quality and his defensive work was very disciplined while I made a point of congratulating David Vaughan on his performance. He has natural ability and looked comfortable on the ball."

Matthew Jones, responsible for conceding a penalty and then being sent off, was so upset at the team hotel that he needed visits by colleagues to help him through his distress.

He is now being linked with a free transfer move to Cardiff after being told he can leave Leicester.