JOHN Toshack revealed he is "happy and hopeful" of reach- ing Euro 2012 after declaring Wales's qualification group the most open of the lot.

Wales will compete with England, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro for the chance to reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Top seeds England are clear favourites to win Group G and seal an automatic route to the tournament, but the Wales boss believes there is little to choose between the remaining teams.

"We were always going to have one of the top seeds and for the Welsh public, England are very attractive," he said.

"If you take England out of our group, I don't think it's easy for anyone to predict how second, third, fourth and fifth positions are going to go.

"The more I look at the group, the more I'm happy and hopeful. More than any other group, I feel that the four of us are pretty equal.

"I don't like to say we've got a good chance or a terrific chance of qualifying.

"None of the games is going to be easy, but we have an advantage in only having five teams in our group and none of the away matches will require visas or huge time swings."

Key to Welsh chances of qualifying for their first major finals since 1958 will be whether they can negotiate a convenient fixture schedule for the campaign.

Toshack is set to attend a fixture meeting with the other countries in the group in Switzerland on March 15.

If agreement cannot be reached then, the matter will be referred to Uefa to decide when teams play each other.

Wales's most high-profile matches will undoubtedly be against old rivals England, when dormant Welsh supporters are sure to come out of the woodwork.

"I hope it isn't the case that we need a match against England to revive interest in our team," said Toshack.

"Our players know their players very well so at least we won't have to do a lot of research.

"I think England will have a good World Cup and hopefully they'll come back with 10 injured players!

"Hopefully they can parade the World Cup before the match and we can spoil the party. I think both countries would settle for that!"

stephen.ware@swwmedia.co.uk