Rob Page insists Wales aren't talking about a possible play-off spot as they bid to keep their Euro 2024 dream alive against Turkey.
The Group D leaders arrive at the Cardiff City Stadium having already qualified for next summer's finals in Germany, but Wales still have work to do following Saturday's disappointing draw with Armenia in Yerevan. It's a result that leaves them needing a win in their final game of the campaign in order to stand any chance of automatic qualification, while they would also need Croatia to drop points against Armenia.
It's a scenario that will leave many understandably bracing themselves for a play-offs berth, with Wales guaranteed a place due to their exploits in the UEFA Nations League.
READ MORE: The results Wales now need to secure Euro 2024 qualification after frustrating Armenia draw
However, having held a crunch meeting with his side on Sunday night, Page is adamant that talk of the play-offs is strictly off the table - for the time-being at least.
"We were aware that would be the talking point now, because of the disappointment of that [the game against Armenia] and I just addressed it last night," he told the media on Monday afternoon. "I got Mitch [Ian Mitchell] to speak about it as well and we wanted to make sure the full focus is on Tuesday's game.
"We're not admitting defeat and looking forward to the play-offs. Why would we? It's still in our control. Why would we be thinking about the play-offs when if we win a game we can potentially qualify if that result [in Croatia] goes our way.
"What I don't want to do is walk off the pitch at the end of the game, having had one eye on the play-offs and it's gone for us we couldn't take charge of it.
"So there won't be any more talk of the play-offs."
Page will be without the injured Chris Mepham, who's suspended after picking up a third yellow card in Yerevan at the weekend, but otherwise has a full squad to choose from for Tuesday night's clash.
"Meps is the only out through suspension. Everyone else is fine. We've had a good recovery day yesterday. We've had a good training session today. Everyone's been involved in it."
Despite the disappointment of letting their fate slip through their hands, Page insists he wouldn't have done anything different on Saturday, despite finding himself on the receiving end of criticism from some supporters.
"It was just one of those nights," he added. "I wouldn't change the team. It was a team on the back of such a positive performance and result against Croatia. When you've got that momentum and confidence in the team it's crazy to change it.
"We already had a plan B in mind if in the latter stages of the game we needed that goal. We already knew DJ would potentially come on at wing-back just to get another forward onto the pitch and take that gamble in playing higher up the pitch.
"We knew the forwards we wanted to bring on to make an impact. It just didn't quite go for us. It's in the past and we have to throw full focus on the game coming up as we still have everything to play for. We can't control what happens with Croatia and Armenia. But we can control what we do against a very good Turkey team."
