David Cotterill has revealed the first battle for him and Wales captain Ashley Williams ahead of their crunch Euro 2016 qualifier in Israel will just be getting off the ground . Both the Birmingham City winger and the Swansea captain have a fear of flying so will look to each other for support when the Welsh squad head to the skies on Thursday . Belgium ’ s match in Israel originally scheduled for last September was postponed until this month because of the Gaza conflict . But simply being 30,000 feet high will be of concern to Cotterill . Swansea and Wales defender Ashley Williams has a fear of flying . He laughed : ‘ I ’ m a nervous wreck on every flight I go on , it doesn ’ t matter where it ’ s to . Normally when I ’ m flying I grab my two children ’ s hands . ‘ When I ’ m on my own , Ashley Williams is across from me and he ’ s a nervous flier too , we just look at each other like we ’ re having a panic attack . ‘ He ’ s a warrior on the pitch but when it comes to flying he ’ s a little baby. ’ Cotterill has played an important part in Wales travelling to the Middle East with designs on topping their Euro 2016 qualifying group on departure . The 27-year-old came off the bench in the win over Cyprus earlier in the campaign to score a long-range free-kick , before starting the goalless draw in Belgium . ‘ It was an amazing result for us . In previous years we would probably have gone over there and got beaten three or four nil , ’ he told Sportsmail . Swansea defender Williams regarded as a fearless competitor on the pitch . ‘ I think the squad has improved so much , and we have great confidence . Hopefully we can do something special by qualifying. ’ Wales have not made a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup but sit second in Group B on eight points , one behind Israel having played a game more . Belgium are fourth on five points with a game in hand on Wales . Cotterill made his debut a decade ago as a 17-year-old , coming on to replace Ryan Giggs , so is well placed to chart the strides taken by this Wales team and how Gareth Bale has grown in dressing room stature . ‘ We have great experience , he said . ‘ Baley , Rambo ( Aaron Ramsey ) and ( Chris ) Gunter have a lot of caps for their age , obviously brought through from the days of ( John ) Toshack and ( Gary ) Speed . ‘ A lot of us have been together for many years and that ’ s only benefitting us now . The group is a lot closer now than in previous years and it ’ s showing on the pitch. ’ He added : ‘ Baley ’ s signed for Real Madrid and he is one of our leaders . He does speak a lot more than he used to . Whatever he says he ’ s talking sense because he ’ s playing for one of the best managers in the world . He knows his stuff. ’ Bale ’ s presence , despite his difficult spell at Real , encourages Cotterill to believe Wales can beat Israel , who have a perfect record so far . Birmingham winger David Cotterill ( centre ) will be part of the Wales squad flying to Israel . ‘ We ’ ve got one of the best players in the world , if that doesn ’ t give you a lift nothing will . Most of our starting XI are in the Premier League playing week in week out . Our core is quality . We show respect but we have nothing to fear. ’ Cotterill has enjoyed a bright season at Birmingham , revived under Gary Rowett , having moved from Doncaster last summer . He has eight goals from the right wing and seven assists , numbers that compete with any players in is position in the Championship . ‘ I ’ m happy the way the season has gone , I ’ m hoping to score more goals and get to the double figure mark , hopeful add a few more assists , ’ he said . ‘ Then I could look back at a successful season . ’
Ashley Williams and David ##son both have a hobby of surfing . The Wales duo face flight to Israel this week for the 2016 qualifier . # Coleman 's is seeking to claim top spot in qualifying rounds .