SOUTHEND United's assistant manager Paul Brush expects Shrimpers striker Freddy Eastwood to be fit enough to figure for Wales at the end of the month.

The Basildon-based 23-year-old, who has missed two of Blues' last three games with a back problem, was yesterday confirmed in John Toshack's 25-man squad for games with New Zealand and the Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium.

And, although Toshack is worried that the Seasiders star will be unable to figure in the first clash which takes place of Saturday, May 26, Brush believes Eastwood will recover in time to make his international debut.

"Freddy hasn't trained yet this week but back spasms are not as long term as other problems you can get in that area," he said.

"We expect him to be fit in days rather than weeks but he would have to do some training before being called upon again."

Eastwood, who qualifies to play for the Principality because his grandfather was born in Llanelli, is desperate to appear alongside the likes of Manchester United's Ryan Giggs.

However, Toshack remains unconvinced of the forward's fitness.

"We will have to keep an eye on Eastwood," he said.

"He has been carrying at injury and when I saw him play at Plymouth Argyle recently, he was definitely struggling with it.

"We have called him in though because he's a good player who has declared his commitment to Wales and we are very short of strikers these days."

Eastwood will continue to be treated at Roots Hall though and Brush added Southend would not be changing his rehabilitation programme.

"Freddy is having the best treatment possible," he insisted.

"Some days he feels better than others and it's hard with back spasms.

"He's been out for three weeks already with this but we shall carry on with the treatment and rest him up too because that it what we have been advised."

The former Grays Athletic forward is unlikely to figure at Southampton and winger Mark Gower (back), plus midfielder Kevin Maher (foot/ankle) are also doubtful.

"None of them have trained this week," confirmed Brush. "I would say they were possibles rather than probables."

Full Wales squad: Coyne (Burnley), Hennessey (Wolves), Price (Ipswich), Bale (Southampton), D Collins (Sunderland), J Collins (West Ham), Eardley (Oldham), Evans (Wrexham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Gunter (Cardiff), Morgan (Peterborough), Nyatanga (Derby), Ricketts (Hull), Crofts (Gillingham), A Davies (Yeovil), S Davies (Fulham), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Koumas (West Brom), Ledley (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Bellamy (Liverpool), Earnshaw (Norwich), Eastwood (Southend), Giggs (Man Utd), Nardiello (Barnsley).