WALES BOSS: I Regret The Newcastle Row

By Matthew Jones
September 6 2003

Wales boss Mark Hughes had admitted that he would rather not have had the row with Newcastle United over striker Craig Bellamy's fitness, as his side prepare to take on Italy.

Wales boss Mark Hughes had admitted that he would rather not have had the row with Newcastle United over striker Craig Bellamy's fitness, as his side prepare to take on Italy.

Bellamy WILL play tonight after independent medical staff gave him the OK.

Captain Gary Speed will write another piece of history, when he makes his 75th appearance for Wales against Italy. This means that he will equal Dean Saunders' current record as Wales' most-capped outfield player.

Hughes said: "It is something that I would have preferred not to have gone through this week. We wish this would not have happened but we have sorted it out.

"Craig has been training and he is fit and well. I am comfortable with my actions this week and I have every confidence in our medical staff."

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