Bellamy to recieve a new contract..

By Matthew Jones
December 19 2002

Craig Bellamy is likely to recieve a new 5-year deal in the New Year. He still has 2 years left on his current contract, but Toon want to offer him almost 40k a week it is believed. UEFA have also confirmed that the Welsh striker will miss a further two games ontop of the Barcalona game he missed.

Craig Bellamy says he only has himself to blame after receiving his second three-match Uefa ban of the season following his red against Inter.

The 23-year-old striker - who has already served a three-game suspension in Europe this season for head-butting Dynamo Kiev defender Tiberiu Ghioane - was handed the same sentence after being given his marching orders following a spat with Marco Materazzi in the Magpies' Champions League clash against Inter at St James' Park.

Bellamy admits to being frustrated at himself and said: "I've worked so hard to get into this competition and it's just these stupid incidents. I've already missed three games and I'm going to miss more now. To play against teams like Barcelona, it's a dream to be on this stage and I'm blowing it. It's my own fault. I've got no excuse."

Despite all of this, Newcastle are ready to give Bellamy a new contract in the New Year. The Welsh striker still has two years to run on his present deal, but Newcastle want to rip that up and offer the striker a new five-year contract worth close to £40,000-a-week.