Gabbidon adds to Wales’ woes

West Ham’s Welsh centre-back Danny Gabbidon on Monday retired from international football, on the eve of his country’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

The 31-year-old, who won 43 caps, had been selected for the two fixtures but the injury-plagued defender is in the final year of his West Ham contract and is thought to want to focus on his club career.

Stand-in Wales coach Brian Flynn had already seen striker Robert Earnshaw withdraw, because of injury, and is also without talisman and captain Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy was omitted because of a knee problem, only to score for Cardiff against Barnsley on Saturday.

Flynn, who called up untried Southampton youngster Ryan Doble to replace Earnshaw, was hit with yet more withdrawals when Blackpool defender Neil Eardley and Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock both pulled out.

Wales lost their opening Group G game against Montenegro, a defeat that sealed the end of John Toshack’s reign as manager of the national side.