Bellamy Back Feburary

By Karl Wilkinson
December 16 2003

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has played down fears surrounding Craig Bellamy' s knee injury and insists the Welsh flyer will be back in action by February.

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has played down fears surrounding Craig Bellamy' s knee injury and insists the Welsh whippet will be back in action by February latest.

Bellamy has been sidelined since September after undergoing a fifth knee operation to cure tendonitis. Bellamy who apparently was thinking of retiring has come back strong is expected back in the New Year.

"It is easy to become a forgotten man when you are out with a long-term injury but he is on course of a mid-February return to action," said Robson."

"His recovery programme is going smoothly and the medical people are happy.

"I have nothing but praise for Craig and the way he has gone about getting himself sorted out."

"He throw himself into the work the physios give him. He wants to be back as soon as possible and has been ultra-professional about it."

"He is a man on a mission and is doing everything he can to make sure he is in the right shape when his time comes."