Joe Allen returns as Wales face Serbia

The news that Joe Allen was able to travel with the squad for this evening's fixture came as a welcome boost for manager Chris Coleman.

Already missing a clutch of influential players, the loss of the Liverpool midfielder because of illness left his side looking a little threadbare in Friday's defeat by Belgium.

Allen's return will surely mean an end of the experiment of using Ashley Williams in midfield, especially as the Swansea defender will now be needed in the centre of the back four, with James Collins suspended after his red card at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Even with Allen back in the line-up, though, Wales once again find themselves faced with a very difficult task. Serbia may not have been over-impressive in Saturday's goalless draw in Scotland, but they are likely to be be tough opponents in front of their own fans.

A draw would be a fine result for the visitors, and that is almost the least they need after losing that first game.

Two defeats would leave many proclaiming the qualifying campaign as good as over, so Welsh supporters can only hope that their team reproduce the fighting spirit they showed in trying to defy the odds in their first match.