WALES manager John Toshack has issued a call to arms, writing to 36 of his players and urging them to show "total commitment to the cause," as the clock ticks down towards Wales' 2008 European Championship qualification bid.

As Toshack prepares to travel to Frankfurt next week to decide the fixture schedule for Wales' qualifying campaign, Toshack also revealed that:

Wales will face a Basque select team in Bilbao on May 20.

Wales meet Trinidad and Tobago - paired with England in the World Cup group stage - in Graz, Austria, on May 27.

He hopes to face Germany or the Czech Republic away in Wales' first qualification game.

He WILL risk the wrath of Premiership managers by lining up a friendly on August 16, just four days before the start of the Premiership season.

Confirmed that Wales might well be forced to take a European Championship qualifier away from the Millennium Stadium.

Believes the form of Cwmbran's Danny Gabbidon highlights what his young squad can achieve if given the chance of first team football.

Toshack's call to arms comes as a direct response to the huge amount of withdrawals he endured last year, with upwards of ten players pulling out of friendlies.

"We need everyone totally committed and focused and I have written to 36 players to tell them what I expect of them, the gist of the message is 'Don't let yourselves or your team-mates down.'

Toshack also confirmed that Wales "may have to play a home game away from the Millennium Stadium, even though we don't want to," if they are forced to play at home in September.

Wales can't play at the Millennium then because of a Rolling Stones concert, so will almost certainly be away for their first qualifier and possibly the first two.

Toshack is hoping to face Germany or the Czech Republic.

"I have preferences and the Germans and Czechs are involved in the World Cup which might be a factor.

"It is all very well to play San Marino twice and win both games, but the campaign goes on for a long time and you must look at the bigger picture.

"We will be a better team in 20 months when the group is only halfway through, we must think about the whole campaign."

Wales will face a Basque select side in Bilbao on August 20, before giving Trinidad and Tobago a taste of British opposition at the GAK Stadium.

Toshack will also irk Premiership managers with a home friendly on August 10, four days before the start of the Premiership season.

"I do have some sympathy with Premiership managers but we need to play that date to prepare for the September qualifiers," he said.

Toshack also gave his backing to Robert Earnshaw's deadline day transfer to Norwich. He explained: "We need players playing regularly so it's a good move from our point of view.

"Danny Gabbidon is an example of a player getting regular games and his form improving as a result, he's been superb this season and is a big player for us.

"A lot of our young players could play at a higher level if they were given a chance, they have good habits."