CHRIS Coleman admits Wales can’t afford any more injuries in defence ahead of their crunch clash with Belgium on Friday night, and admits Wales rejected 'big money' friendlies to properly prepare.

The race for European Championship qualification is heating up in Group B, where Wales and Belgium are currently slugging it out for the coveted top spot.

Wales’ resilient 0-0 draw in Brussels and their fantastic 3-0 triumph against Israel in Haifa, has given supporters real heart, with the Dragons now in with a major chance of finally playing major tournament football after a 50-year absence.

However, West Ham defender James Collins and Tottenham’s Ben Davies have both been ruled out of the showdown at the Cardiff City Stadium and Hull’s James Chester is also dealing with a niggle.

And Wales manager Coleman admits it is a concern to have so many players from the same area of the field struggling.

“We don’t need any more of them, to be fair,” said Coleman, who was talking with the Argus at an event with Vauxhall the Wales team sponsor.

“Losing Ben and Ginge, we don’t need any more of them. Come what may, it is not the time we can start talking about being unlucky again. If we lose someone we have to replace them and find a way. We have huge games coming up and we have to be prepared.

"Belgium are probably the most expensive international squad in the world.

"They've got 11 top-class players and you look at the bench and it's the same level.”

Colman isn’t worried about motivating his players, nor that some of them would rather already be on the beach or dealing with transfers to other clubs.

“We have to try from day one to let them know what is coming – the challenge ahead and that it is separate from the club. Sometimes it works well for the players. It is like a release,” he said.

“So whatever is going on at their club, good, bad or indifferent, coming with us is a different challenge that they need to concentrate on.

“This is international football, this is their country and it is different. Good season or not so good, the international season has been good and we want to continue that. They are happy in the training and happy in the environment and I don’t need to tell them what is expected.”

Coleman admits Wales have enjoyed the rarity of a two-week build-up and feel prepared for such a huge test.

“That is why I didn’t want a friendly game because whilst we would have had a good crowd and financially it would have helped us out, in terms of preparation my message was that we keep talking about qualifying and what we are prepared to do for it,” he said.

“That means sometimes you have to make sacrifices. We have done that. We have not had a friendly and we have probably lost money not having a friendly.

“But we have gained time on the pitch with the players to prep them for this game. If we played Friday night, for example, Saturday and Sunday there is nothing you can do. You then have four days to prepare for Belgium as opposed to eight. That, in terms of how we set up to play Belgium, is a big advantage to us.”

Coleman is adamant there is no fear from Wales about going up against the number two team in world football, according to the latest FIFA rankings, nor is he about to dampen the optimism of Welsh fans.

"We're not afraid," said Coleman.

"If you're going to do anything in football, if you're going to win a league or qualify in international football, you know you're going to be in a group where there are at least two extremely talented teams.

"Belgium are magnificent and there comes a time when you need to stand up to that challenge.

"We're against a top, top team, ranked second in the world, and they're there on merit. [But] there's no fear in our camp.

"We're not going to say to the Welsh public, 'Keep calm'. They've got every right to get excited," he added.

"We just need to live up to the expectation. We have so far and that's why everyone is getting so excited.

"If we win the game, it doesn't mean we're guaranteed to qualify and, equally, if we don't get the three points, it doesn't mean we won't.

"It's another huge game. It's bigger than the last one and, every time we get a big result, the next one is even bigger."

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