JOHN Toshack was dead right when he suggested Gary Speed could still fly the flag for Wales - but dead wrong in thinking he might reconsider his decision to retire from international football.

There is not a more proud Welshman alive but the Wanderer, by all accounts, is not for turning.

Toshack is unlikely to welcome Robbie Savage back in the fold after their much-publicised split but he opened the door for Speed when he said of the 35-year-old midfielder: "Maybe he is having second thoughts about his decision. I don't know."

Speed, who retired after winning his 84th cap in the World Cup qualifying defeat by Poland in Cardiff last October, still misses international football but, like his old pal, Alan Shearer, believes concentrating solely on club football can extend his career in the top flight.

"I still miss playing for Wales," he said before the World Cup qualifying double-header against Austria.

"But its a decision I made and I'll stick by that."

Toshack's first two games in charge both ended in defeat, but Speed insists he is not about to pull the famous red shirt on again for his country.

He said: "It's a poor substitute but I'll go down and watch them and support them."