Robert making great progress

By Matthew Jones
September 13 2002

Craig Bellamy is set for his first start of the season in Newcastle's clash at Chelsea on Saturday after he played in a friendly on Thursday.

Craig Bellamy is set for his first start of the season in Newcastle's clash at Chelsea on Saturday after he played in a friendly on Thursday.

The Welsh international striker, who played 20 minutes of a game played behind closed doors against Carlisle the other day, which Newcastle won 3-2 seemed in good form.

John Carver, the first-team coach admitted that Craig Bellamy who has been out of action with a long term injury, is very close to a first-team recall.

"Craig felt he wasn't quite ready to start against Leeds and he knows best," said Carver.
"It's down to the manager and the boy himself, but we can't rule Craig out after the progress he's made in the last week."

Goals from Wayne Quinn, Diego Gavilan and Jamie McClen secured the win over Carlisle, in which left-back Robbie Elliott was tried out in an unfamiliar centre-back role.

Meanwhile, Greek defender Nikos Dabizas, is expected to be back in the side at Chelsea having recovered from a slight calf injury. And that could mean new boy Titus Bramble relegated to the bench at Stamford Bridge, with Andy O'Brien also back to full fitness.