GARETH Taylor will be hoping to win his tenth cap for Wales tonight as they take on World Cup finalists Germany at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

And, following Nik Michopoulos's appearance for Greece on Sunday, it would be the first time for nearly two decades that the Clarets can boast two current internationals, the last being Northern Ireland's Billy Hamilton and Wales star Brian Flynn.

Taylor, who won his first cap for four years as a late sub against the Czech Republic back in March, is relishing the prospect of playing at the Millennium Stadium again although he was hoping to have been there on Sunday.

"I had told the lads what a fantastic stadium it is to play in and I was desperate to get there in the play-off final.

"But it wasn't to be and now I am just hoping to get another chance to play for Wales there. It is a wonderful stadium, a great place to play. It would be great to be involved against a team that is going to the World Cup.

"I think I did quite well when I came on against the Czechs and so we will have to see if I get to play the Germans."

The cap against the Czech's was his first as a Burnley player having previously won international honours while at Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.

He also has four Under-21 caps won while he was a Bristol Rovers player.

An ankle injury to Wolves striker Nathan Blake and the absence of Newcastle United star Craig Bellamy with a knee problem have reduced the options of Wales boss Mark Hughes in attack although he looks likely to hand a place in the starting line-up to the promising Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw.

Other strikers in the squad include Celtic's John Hartson and Norwich City skipper Iwan Roberts who scored in the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

But Taylor has forced his way into contention by virtue of his best ever tally of 16 league goals this season. When he was left out of the Wales squad earlier in the season he had insisted that the only thing that mattered was showing good form for Burnley. If that happened he felt the recall would come and so it proved.

The 29-year-old striker is also grateful to manager Stan Ternent for giving him an extended run in the side, something he has not always had throughout his career.

Taylor's Clarets team mate Paul Weller had his operation on his right knee yesterday and so will start on the road to recovery today.

He was struggling throughout the closing weeks of the season but is expected to be fully fit when the new season kicks off in just under three months time.

Boss Hughes, who is likely to give Cardiff City's young striker Robert Earnshaw his first cap during the Millennium Stadium clash, believes Germany could be the dark horses in the Far East.

Hughes' words will no doubt not be lost on Mick McCarthy and his Republic of Ireland side, who face Germany in the group stages in Japan. But Hughes made it clear he was more concerned about the build-up for the European Championships, with this Cardiff showdown their last match before the qualifiers start in Finland in September.