Newcastle Striker Bellamy Sticking With Wales
By Matthew Jones
October 27 2003
Newcastle United striker Craig Bellamy has insisted that he has "no intention" of quitting international football and that he has the full backing of his manager Sir Bobby Robson.
Newcastle United striker Craig Bellamy has insisted that he has "no intention" of quitting international football and that he has the full backing of his manager Sir Bobby Robson.
Bellamy has recently had surgery on his problematic knee and will be sidelined for around four months.
Reports claimed that Bellamy was thinking about retiring from the international scene to prolong his club career, but Bellamy has assured Wales boss Mark Hughes that he will not be quitting.
Bellamy said: "Missing the Wales play-off against Russia will be very difficult for me. But the lads are better having someone who is fully fit.
"I will be back for Wales too. So ignore what you might read elsewhere, I am too young to be thinking about retirement!
"When I'm fit, I expect to be fit enough for the demands of Premiership and international football.
"For now, I just want to play for Newcastle - and Wales. I want to play at my best again and show what Craig Bellamy can really do. And, crucially, I want to play without pain. I look forward to that day.
"I am told four months, but have enough experience of injuries to realise you do not put timings on your comeback.
"It might be before then, it might take longer. I can't afford to set deadlines." Sir Bobby Robson also confirmed that he was "more than happy" for Craig Bellamy to continue his career internationally, saying:
"I have no problems about my players going off to play for their countries.
"It makes them better players. It's more tiring of course but I have no objections to it.
"I think Alan [Shearer] made the right decision because he has had his international career and was at an age where he found it quite testing, but Craig's 23 or 24.
"I think it will depend on his knee and if his knee can handle the rigours of continuous football - and international football is the hardest football in the world.
"I played it and I managed it. If you think the Premiership is tough, international is a step up. It's wearing and it's difficult.
"Yes, it's exciting and it's brilliant, but you've got to be really fit to do it.
"I would say it's a decision Craig will have to make at the end of this season when he's had his four months of rehabilitation, he's got back into playing and he'll be able to tell you better than me or better than the doctor what his knee feels like, whether it's sound or whether it needs looking after."