`I like it hot' says Hughes

Wales face up to a night of fear in the Legia Warsaw stadium in their World Cup qualifier against Poland

Wales face up to a night of fear in the Legia Warsaw stadium in their World Cup qualifier against Poland. And for Mark Hughes it will be the most intimidating night of his short career as an international manager. Police had to fire rubber bullets over the heads of rioting fans in Lodz on Saturday to break up fights after Poland's 3-1 victory over Belarus, their second group win.

The Polish FA claim this was a row between club fans and has no relevance, and in any case Hughes, the 36-year-old former Manchester United warrior, claims he loves it when the abuse is pouring down.

He talks fondly of his last trip to Warsaw in 1991 when United won the first leg of their Cup Winners' Cup semi-final 3-1. "I remember that night in Warsaw well," Hughes said. "It was on the same ground we will be playing on this time. And I even scored that day, so there are happy memories of Warsaw and I would happily take that result again."

"We need to take something out of every game, that's always our approach to all our matches. We got one point on Saturday and we need that at least out here."

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Nathan Blake, whose fine header gave Wales their draw with Norway on Saturday, is a major doubt. Blake picked up a thigh strain in the Cardiff match, and has not trained since.

Poland chief Wladyslaw Engel has no injury problems. "This group is still wide open and all the teams can qualify," he said. "However, if we beat Wales, we will be eight points ahead of them and it will be difficult for them to catch us."

Wales (Probable): Jones, Delaney, Melville, Coleman, G Roberts, Savage, Speed, Robinson, Giggs, Jones, Hartson.