Veteran striker Dean Saunders has watched Mark Hughes take his first positive steps into management and likes what he sees.

The 35-year-old, now back in the Premier-ship with Bradford, admits he would like a go at being a boss himself.

Saunders, who is ready to play for Wales against Belarus in this afternoon's Euro 2000 qualifier, said: 'I may well have a crack at management one day, just like Sparky has done, but then he is a bit older than me.

'At the moment I enjoy playing. When the time comes that I'm not enjoying it and I'm not able to do the things I want to do, I'll probably have a go at management.

'I've learned a lot under a lot of managers in different countries and I'd be an idiot if I hadn't picked up something from that.

'I never expected Mark would become a manager because he's so quiet. Not because he hasn't got the credentials - he has - but his first job is being manager of Wales.

'Sometimes though I think it's easier to be a manager at this level than it is to be a manager of a club like York or somewhere else in the lower divisions.

'Mark knows everything you need to know about international football. He's played in more games than most of the other managers.'

Saunders will win his 70th cap for Wales in the intimidating Dinamo Stadium at the same time as two of his country's brightest young talents prepare to make their international debuts.

Aston Villa's Mark Delaney, 23, is expected to play at right-back, while Leeds' 19-year-old Matthew Jones, withdrawn from the Under-21 squad that he was due to captain, will be sitting on the bench.