John Toshack has urged Wigan playmaker Jason Koumas to finally prove that he wants to become a key part of Wales' future.Koumas scored twice and engineered Wales' impressive 3-0 victory over Norway in the mud at Wrexham's Racecourse ground on Wednesday.

It was another fleeting glimpse of the genuine quality the Wrexham-born player has. The trouble for Toshack has been to keep the one-time Liverpool junior involved.

But boss Toshack has spelt it out now for Koumas as Wales build for the World Cup qualifiers that start in September.

He said: "I hope now that he sees these bright young lads around him, sees what they are putting into it and realised just how important he is for them. He's getting older and this is the time for him to show he wants to be involved."

Koumas, 28, has a shocking attendance record for Wales, particularly in away games. The Norway match was only his 26th for his country - scoring nine goals - since his debut in the Ukraine back in July 2001.

Stand-in skipper Simon Davies, also 28, also made his debut that day in a 1-1 draw and in comparison has now played 49 times for his country in the 60 Wales internationals that have followed.

Koumas has not played an international outside of the UK in three years and he has driven Toshack almost to distraction.

But the Welsh coach intends to persevere. Koumas may still not have really established himself as a Premier League player, after spells at West Brom and now Wigan. But in Welsh terms he is by far the best midfielder they have, and he is needed.

Toshack says: "After Ryan Giggs retired the chance was there for Jason to step up. He has quality on the ball and is starting to score goals for us.

"The problem with Jason is getting him on the pitch. When he turns up and he is 'up for it' he is a very important player for us.

"He didn't play in any of the six away games in the last qualifying group, and we have asked him that if he could manage a few this time around we would appreciate it! Now we have got three away friendlies on the run, Luxembourg, Iceland and Holland, and the bookies in Cardiff have offered me 11-1 that he won't be on any of them.

"He knows that, we've told him. Either you treat him like that or you tear your hair out, don't bother and don't pick him. For me, and this squad, he is an important player."

Koumas is reputed to have a fear of flying and has had domestic problems in the past, but seven of his first 11 internationals were away from home, so it can be done.

An interesting assessment of Koumas comes from his long-term pal, Steven Gerrard. The pair were in Liverpool's Under-12s together along with Michael Owen and have been firm friends ever since.

But that did not stop Gerrard producing a telling view on Koumas in his autobiography. Gerrard wrote: "We always got on well, but not that I showed any mercy against him. I always enjoyed playing against him because I always got the better of him, he doesn't like the physical side, boot Jason and he fades."

It is a view Toshack understands, saying: "Jason has his critics, he always has done regarding his work, with people suggesting he doesn't 'put it in.' But you have 10 others who can do that. Jason on his day can be really special on the ball.

"Bill Shankly used to say that a team is like a piano, it takes eight to carry it and three to play it, and certainly Jason can play it!

"Maybe we will have to work on having those around him who can carry the work while he creates."

Davies also saluted Koumas. He said: "Jason has all the ability in the world, and when he is on his game and

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