Wales full-back Ben Davies has claimed that the nation's next few games are crucial in their campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Chris Coleman's side upset the odds by reaching the semi-finals of the European Championships in France during the summer.

They kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign in the same vein by sealing a 4-0 triumph over Moldova last month.

This week, Wales will face Austria away on Thursday before welcoming Georgia to home soil on Sunday.

"You always look at starts in groups to give you a good basis from which to kick on for the rest of it," Davies told reporters in today's press conference. "We're looking at the next few games as very important. If we can put ourselves in a good position in this group it definitely gives us a good platform to play confidently and try to get through to the World Cup.

"This [Austria game] is definitely one of the hardest games. We were surprised they didn't do very well at the Euros, but that doesn't mean so much over the course of three games. They're playing at home and it's going to be a tough game, but we did so well over the summer that we are hungry for more success.

"You've got to have those expectations to push yourself as far as you can go. If we can get something against Austria it will definitely put us in a good place in the group. Getting the advantage early on it's always a positive."

In their last seven competitive fixtures, Wales have won five and lost two.