PLAYMAKER Jason Koumas is ready to come in from the cold and fill the boots of Ryan Giggs in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Slovakia and Cyprus.

The West Brom midfielder has been recalled by John Toshack after being left out of the squad for the first qualifier against the Czech Republic and the friendly with Brazil because of his uncertain club future.

Koumas wanted a move to Cardiff City in the summer and when it failed to materialise he refused to go back to the Midlands club. But Koumas is back in favour at the Hawthorns now and even signed a new three-year contract.

The 27-year-old kept in touch with Toshack throughout the episode and now he wants to show his gratitude to the Wales boss.

"I spoke to John all through the summer," he said. "He's given me some great advice and I thank him for that - hopefully I can repay him on the pitch.

"John never said there was a problem. I wasn't here last month because I had no pre-season and any player would be the same. But it was horrible watching on television - hard to sit there, but there was nothing I could do.

"I have learned a lot over the summer and matured a lot as a player. Thing dragged on and they shouldn't have really, it was a mistake I made but I'm glad to be back and I'm feeling good now.

"It was hard and tough to miss the last couple of games, especially Brazil - those games only come round once in a blue moon. But I wasn't fit and now I am and I'm looking forward to these games."

With skipper Ryan Giggs out there is a growing weight on the shoulders of Koumas, with the hopes his creativity can help make up for the unlucky 2-1 loss in Teplice.

"If there's pressure on me to score then it's a great pressure," said Koumas. "Two games like these against so-called smaller countries, games we are expected to win - it's a great pressure and hopefully I will have that pressure.

"Even if Ryan was here I'd still be looking to play, he's missing but we have to get on with it. The boys were unlucky in the Czech Republic. We should have got a draw and it was disappointing to lose but we can put it right in the games coming up.

"These are two must-win games, we need six points and if we get them it puts us in a great position. These are two game we have got to be looking to win if we are to have any chance of qualifying."