Earnshaw to lead Wales

Nottingham Forest striker Rob Earnshaw will captain Wales for the first time in their Carling Nations Cup clash against Scotland.

Earnshaw, 30, will win his 53rd cap in Dublin on Wednesday as manager Gary Speed has opted to rest his English Premier League stars, including regular captain Aaron Ramsey, after a long campaign.

Speed said it was important to look after the health of his players, despite losing his first two matches as national manager.

“With the close proximity of the games, it’s a bit too much to ask the players to play both at this stage of the season,” he said on Tuesday.

“The team will probably be 90 per cent lads who didn’t play on Sunday.”

“My top priority is not only to win the game but look after the health of the players.”

Earnshaw said it was an honour to be given the responsibility of captaining his country.

“I’ve always played in a way I will take whatever happens on the pitch in my stride,” he told BBC.

“It’s no different for me. It’s an extra boost more than anything. When a manager decides you’re captain it gives you an extra boost.”

“For me, it’s going to be a special night. Everything else will be the same because I’m going out there to enjoy it, but I’m going to enjoy it even more now.”

Aston Villa defender James Collins and Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley did not travel with the squad, while others who also completed their Premier League campaigns on Sunday – Wolverhampton’s Wayne Hennessey, West Ham’s Jack Collison, Stoke City’s Danny Collins, Blackpool’s Neal Eardley and David Vaughan – are unlikely to feature.

Defender Adam Matthews is the most recent addition to a squad that has also saw midfielder Owain Tudur Jones, defender Craig Morgan, Andy Dorman and striker Jermaine Easter included.

Arsenal midfielder Ramsey is likely to return to the squad for Friday’s clash against Northern Ireland.