Bellaz Back For Wales

By Carys Baptist
May 25 2004

Newcastle United striker Craig Bellamy has sensationally agreed to link up with his international team-mates for a series of friendlies being played this week, (again!)

Bellamy spoke of his speedy recovery:

"I could have written my season off, but I had missed so much of the season I just wanted to have a target, something to work towards. And that was the Liverpool game. I made it but I was on way too early. I should have had the last 20 minutes, but because of Shola Ameobi's injury early on I was out there for about an hour and I was nowhere near ready for that length of time.

I didn't go on any sprints because I was only just fit and it was a risk. But I am OK now, I am fit and have been training with the academy kids for the last couple of weeks."

Craig who returned to Newcastle’s first team against Liverpool in the last game of the season believes that he is fit enough to play two games in four days.

"I did not expect to be in the original squad, but I have recovered quickly and there is no problem with me being here,"

I told Mark (Hughes) that if I made the Liverpool game on the last day of the season I had a chance of making the internationals. For my own fitness this will be ideal.

I can handle two games in four days. When I came back I had Arsenal and then PSV in succession and I was able to handle that."

Gary Speed on the other hand has been ruled out of the welsh internationals due to a hamstring injury!