DANNY Gabbidon was a surprise addition to Wales' training camp today, 18 months after he last played a match.

The West Ham man has battled back from a serious stomach muscle injury, amid rumours that he might not play again.

But he turned up at Wales' team hotel outside Cardiff to join in preparation ahead of Friday's friendly international with Estonia at Llanelli.

He will not figure in the match, but had West Ham's blessing to train with his national squad.

West Ham now hope that the former Cardiff youngster will be fully fit to return to action at the beginning of next season.

Gabbidon said: "I never once felt that I would not play again. They tell me that was the rumour, but I have never heard it.

"I've been too busy trying to get myself fit to worry about things like that.

"I'm fit now, back in full training with my club and the treatment for my injury has finished.

"I aim to be back in contention at the beginning of next season. It has been a long time out but I will be back raring to go come August."

Gabbidon's return to the Wales camp has delighted his West Ham club-mate Jack Collison.

He said: "It's great to see Danny back from injury after all this time.

"It's a massive boost for everyone in the Wales squad, and for West Ham, too.

"He's here training with us, he won't be involved in the two internationals, but it is good that he is here working with us again.

"He has had a terrible time, and people who know him are aware that he has been very strong throughout and worked really hard to get back."

He added: "Being at West Ham I have seen it at first hand how hard he has had to work. But he will be a stronger person for it.

"He's been out on the training pitch with us, with the rain pouring down, and he's loved it. You can't get the smile off his face.

"He's glad to be back and it will be a boost for club and country. He's missed a lot but people should not forget that in his first full season for West Ham he won the player-of-the-year trophy, so everyone knows what he can do.

"He brings quality to any team. He needs a full pre-season under his belt and then he will become a major player again for Wales and West Ham."