JACK Collison believes Wales have laid the foundations for future success despite Wednesday's friendly defeat by Sweden.

Wales lost 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium two days ago after Bolton's Johann Elmander struck the only goal of the game just before half-time.

The result was another blow for John Toshack's side, who had recorded a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Scotland last November, after star midfielder Aaron Ramsey suffered a serious broken leg last Saturday.

Regular captain Craig Bellamy was also missing from the squad despite producing some of the best form of his career for Manchseter City.

But West Ham midfielder Collison reckons that beneath the superficial disappointment Wales are developing a playing system that can fire them to the finals of Euro 2012.

Improving

"To be fair to Sweden, they're a good side, but we feel we're a good side too so we've got to keep playing with each other and keep improving," he said.

"You're going to miss big players, but you can't say the players out there didn't try — we all tried our hardest on Wednesday.

"It would be nice to have a couple of the big players back like Aaron Ramsey and Craig Bellamy, but we're going to go with what we've got.

"We feel we've got a formation now that the manager wants to play. We've got a few games to get to know each other's games inside out and hopefully come the qualifiers we'll be ready to go.

"We've had a bit of bad luck, but hopefully we'll get everyone fit and it'll be interesting.

Positive

"It's been good to get together for a few games, there's been a good atmosphere and hopefully we can take that forward and it'll be positive."

Collison returned to the engine room after missing the last four Wales internationals.

And he was thrown in the deep end as Toshack asked him to replace Ramsey as the attacking component of a midfield diamond.

Ashley Williams was handed defensive midfield duties, while Blackpool's David Vaughan and Simon Davies of Fulham started out wide.

"I wanted to play because I've missed the last few games and it was nice to be out there with the boys again," added Collison.

"I had massive boots to fill because Aaron will be a big miss and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

"We can't wait to get him back out there.

"We hope he gets his head down, everything goes well and he'll be back sooner rather than later.

"But I'll play wherever the manager wants me to and hopefully we've got a formation now we can stick to and keep improving."

stephen.ware@swwmedia.co.uk