Bale ready for 'massive game'

Wales winger Gareth Bale has vowed to take the game to England in the Euro 2012 qualifier at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.

The exciting Tottenham star is convinced the Welsh have the firepower to trouble their neighbours in Saturday's eagerly-awaited clash.

After losing their first three matches, Wales' hopes of qualification are slim but that has done little to dampen enthusiasm for the sell-out clash in the principality.

Bale said: "It is a massive game - it is a local derby in international terms. It is something we are all looking forward to.

"We need to win this game, especially in this qualifying campaign and against the English. I think it would boost us as a team and Welsh football in general.

"I think we have got every chance. We have got great young players and a good mix of experience and youth.

"We are not going to go into the game trying to defend. We are going to give it our best shot and we have nothing to lose."

Bale, 21, is the biggest star in Welsh football - with the arguable exception of Ryan Giggs, who has retired from international football - after an outstanding past year for Spurs.

The youngster has been linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs and playing in front of full houses on the grandest of stages seems his destiny.

He has already excelled at the San Siro against Inter Milan and Spurs will visit Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium next month.

Big crowds on the international stage, however, are something he has experienced little of in his 27-cap career to date.

That will change on Saturday with 74,500 expected for the visit of rivals England. It is a considerable increase on the 18,800 that attended Wales' last home international against Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium last October.

Bale said: "It will be a great atmosphere on the weekend, playing against England is something special.

"I think the fans will be up for it just because it is against England.

"Even when it has only been half full, all the fans that have come have been amazing.

"Now with a full stadium, with everyone around us cheering us on, I think it will be amazing, a great experience for the lads who haven't played in front of a full crowd.

"To get 75,000 every time we play at the Millennium Stadium would be a great help to the team.

"Hopefully they can spur us on, be the 12th man and help us to victory.

"We can go into the game fully prepared and feeling confident, looking to get a victory."

The match will be Gary Speed's first competitive international since taking over as manager from John Toshack.

Speed did oversee last month's 3-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin but was without a number of key players, including Bale.

This time the former Wales midfielder has close to a full-strength squad available with David Edwards, Sam Ricketts, Jack Collison and Robert Earnshaw his only major absentees.

Cardiff forward Craig Bellamy and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey are also back in action. The mood in the camp seems upbeat, despite the ruinous start to the Euro qualifying campaign and the loss in Ireland.

Striker Steve Morison believes the appointment of Speed has rejuvenated team spirit.

"It is a massive difference," said the English-born Millwall forward.

"I was only here briefly with Tosh, two or three games, but I have noticed the difference.

"Gary Speed and his men have instilled a great belief and a great sense of team spirit.

"It's been of great benefit to the squad, it's fantastic, and I'm really enjoying being part of it. It's been a great few days so far."

Londoner Morison, who has four caps, is hoping to score his first international goal against the country where he has spent his life.

The 27-year-old caught the eye during Millwall's npower League One promotion campaign last year and was called up by Toshack under the grandparent rule.

Morison said: "I need to score at some point and hopefully if I get the chance, like I did against Bulgaria, I can put it away this time."