MANCHESTER City defender Ben Thatcher has pulled out of the WALES squad for tonight's friendly against Slovenia.

Thatcher, who has an ankle injury, is one of eight players who have now pulled out of John Toshack's squad.

Blackburn striker Craig Bellamy (ankle) and Tottenham midfielder Simon Davies (shin) withdrew from the squad yesterday afternoon, while Ryan Giggs had pulled out earlier in the day with a chest infection.

Wales had already lost Lewis Price, Mark Delaney, Jason Koumas and James Collins for the match at Swansea's New Stadium.

Wigan midfielder Graham Kavanagh's hopes of returning to action tonight have been dashed.

Kavanagh, who is on his way back from a foot injury, had been confident of playing some part in the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND'S friendly against Italy at Lansdowne Road.

But the 31-year-old has returned to Wigan and Republic manager Brian Kerr said: "It's not a very serious problem, but we felt it better he went back to his club as a precaution."

Kavanagh, who sustained the injury in a pre-season friendly two weeks ago, said: "It's progressed quite well over the last week or so but I'm not going to jeopardise the injury."

Kavanagh is determined to return to the Wigan side, though, for Saturday's trip to Charlton.

"I don't know if the manager will change the team because of the performance against Chelsea, but I'm certainly looking to get back in the squad," he said.

Lawrie Sanchez has questioned the attitude of Sunderland full-back George McCartney, who says he has no wish to play for NORTHERN IRELAND while the former Wycombe boss is in charge.

McCartney, 25, would have missed the friendly in Malta tonight as he is injured.

But he informed Sanchez on Friday he was no longer willing to work with him - and then made his feelings public.

Sanchez said: "I am obviously disappointed with his comments and reaction."

SCOTLAND face Austria in Graz tonight without any of their players from Manchester United, Everton Rangers or Dundee United, who all have European commitments next week. Tweet