Welsh captain Gary Speed is firing his troops up for Saturday's clash with Switzerland at the Racecourse ground.

Speed said: "We want to beat Switzerland because we felt we let everybody down losing in Zurich to them last March.

"That was the beginning of the end of our Euro 2000 hopes. It's galling, a result there would have meant Saturday's match had more relevance - and it's worse because we know we're so much better than them."

Speed added: "I don't think we need any motivation to beat the Swiss - securing Sparky (manager Mark Hughes) in his job is all the impetus we need."

Deeside-born midfielder Speed celebrates his 54th cap in north Wales this weekend, but wants to accumulate more under Hughes' management.

He said: "It's an open secret I want Sparky to lead us permanently.

"If we beat Switzerland it will boost his job prospects and all the lads are unanimous in wanting that to happen."