WALES manager John Toshack has questioned the international futures of defenders James Collins and Danny Gabbidon ahead of next week’s opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro.

The Gwent pair are in a race against time to prove their match fitness before next Friday’s crucial tie in Podgorica and Toshack appears to be running out of patience with his experienced centre-backs.

Both players missed the 5-1 friendly win over Luxembourg in Llanelli earlier this month and, although they’ve now returned for their clubs they are short of fitness and form.

Newport’s Collins made his first appearance if the season on Thursday night, playing the full 90 minutes as his Aston Villa side crashed out of Europe after a 3-2 home defeat to Rapid Vienna.

Cwmbran’s Gabbidon completed 90 minutes for West Ham against Bolton Wanderers last Saturday but was at fault for at least one of the Trotters’ goals in a 3-1 home defeat.

He’s been troubled by a persistent groin injury for the past three and a half years and Collins has also been far too injury prone for Toshack’s liking.

“Unfortunately if you look back over the last two or three years we haven’t had the consistency and continuity we would have wanted in defence,” said the Wales boss.

“Danny and James will be disappointed that they’ve missed so many games and it is worrying for us too.

“We were in the same situation when we went to Montenegro for the friendly 12 months ago when they were both on their way back from injury and very rusty.

“It’s the same problems over and over again,” he added, suggesting that the time may come when he can’t rely on the duo any more.

“Craig Morgan and Ashley Williams have come in and done very well for us.

“They’ve probably been two of our most consistent performers of recent years and they’ve needed to be.

“Thankfully both James and Danny have played in the past week but, as I always say, we’ll have to wait until Sunday lunchtime or Monday morning to see who actually reports fit before we make any plans.”

Better news for Toshack is the form of his two most high profile players – captain Craig Bellamy and rising star Gareth Bale.

The former Cardiff City striker is delighted to see his skipper return home to the capital and believes that a happy and relaxed Bellamy can only be a benefit for the campaign ahead.

“It was a big surprise and it’s created a lot of excitement,” said Toshack on Bellamy’s season-long loan move to the Bluebirds from Premier League big guns Manchester City.

“The most important thing is that he is happy and I think he is so that is good for us,” he added.

“He wasn’t going to play at Man City but he was very good against Luxembourg and Doncaster last week and hopefully he’ll get another 90 minutes at Portsmouth this weekend. I’m happy with that.”

As for young superstar Bale, who helped Tottenham into the Champions League group stages for the first time this week, Toshack is surprised it’s taken the rest of the world so long to wake up to his talents.

“It’s no surprise to us how good he is,” said Toshack.

“Gareth was man of the match in our first three matches in the last campaign and that was two years ago.

“We know how talented he is and with him and Bellamy in tandem on the left or on opposite flanks we’ve got the potential to go to Montenegro and have a go.”