I LISTENED to and read with interest the comments made by John Toshack when he was unveiled last Friday as the new manager of Wales.

I've never made any secret of the fact that I favoured Gary Speed for the task of replacing Mark Hughes. I still think he would have been the best man for the job. But it was not to be, especially after he made it clear he wanted to continue playing at the highest level for as long as possible.

So let me just say that I'm delighted that the job has gone to a Welshman because, like Sparky, I believe our make-up as a nation demands someone on the same wavelength and with the inbred sense of pride which comes with pulling on that red shirt.

Whether I'll be doing that again is obviously out of my hands, but I understand the logic of Mr Toshack's plans to start looking to bring in younger players.

Like Ryan Giggs and John Hartson, I've just turned 30. But, as I'm sure they would also say, I feel as fit as I ever have done and believe I still have something to contribute on the field. Whatever changes are made for Mr Toshack's first match in charge - against Hungary in February - I'd like to think any team needs a blend of youth and experience.

If the Wales under-21 squad was packed with Premiership players it might be different but, with the best will in the world, I can't see too many of the current young crop coming through at senior international level just yet.

I've always said my ambition is to win at least 50 caps for Wales, so it goes without saying that I want to continue my international career and, regardless of who the manager is, I would run through brick walls to keep my place in the team.

I realise I've got my critics but I honestly believe I've been one of the most influential players in the Wales set-up in recent years. I've been the "meat" for managers such as Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce, Martin O'Neill and Dario Gradi throughout my career. Whether I'm "poison" to Mr Toshack is still open to question..

We'll have to wait until the beginning of next year for the answer to that, but the decision is not down to me, so there is not a lot I can do except to keep playing for Birmingham

City in the Premiership. If I'm not named in the squad in February, I'd like to say I won't lose any sleep over it, but that probably won't be the case because I'm Welsh and proud of it.

Birmingham are at Blackburn Rovers this Sunday in the televised match and it's going to be a big match on a couple of levels. First and foremost, given our respective positions in the Premiership, both teams will be looking at the game as a genuine six-pointer but on a personal level it will be a strange sensation for me to be in opposition to Mark Hughes and Mark Bowen.

Bowen, the former Birmingham coach, is one of my best mates in the football world and he was obviously involved with Wales for most of Mark's time in charge. Over the past five years I've given everything on the field for Sparky and for Wales but on Sunday for 90 minutes I'll be doing my best to turn them over.

As someone I can't remember once said: "Funny old game, innit?"