NATHAN Blake is back in the Wales fold even though he will not play in Wednesday's friendly with Jamaica.

The Wanderers striker took another step in patching up his differences with international boss Bobby Gould when he asked to join up with the squad even though he would not be fit to play.

Blake's relationship with his nation's coach has been uneasy since he alleged Gould made a racist remark towards him.

He vowed never to play for Gould again but his stance softened after the matter went all the way to the Welsh FA and Gould did his best to smooth things over.

Blake has been called up in squads since but has had to pull out with injuries, sparking cynical suggestions that the two still had not fully made their peace.

Blake, who is suspended for Wanderers' home Premiership clash with Leicester City on Saturday, informed Gould that he was not fit enough to join up with the rest of the squad last night but asked if he could go along to be part of the set-up.

A niggling groin injury will keep him out of Wednesday night's match against the World Cup qualifiers at Ninian Park.

Gould said: "Nathan said he wanted to be involved and could he come down on Monday just to be with the squad.

"I'm delighted to have him with us."

An end to their frosty relationship suggests Blake is all set for an exciting link-up with John Hartson in a strike partnership that Gould has planned for the future.

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