Speed Had Bellamy Doubts

Wales coach Gary Speed has admitted that he had doubts on the availability on striker Craig Bellamy for his team.

Bellamy had been struggling on a number of fronts with Manchester City offloading him to Cardiff City for the 2010/11 campaign, then Wales coach John Toshack reluctant to pick him and his knees causing him problems.

However, the 32-year-old's fortunes have taken a turn towards the better as he joined his old club Liverpool at the start of the current season and has been made an integral part of the national team once more.

Bellamy was on target for the Dragons on Saturday in their 4-1 victory over Norway in a friendly international at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Speed is understandably glad with Bellamy's progress but concedes that at one point he was unsure about his compatriot's future.

"I did have doubts about whether Craig would carry on playing for us," he said in The Daily Star.

"I know what he's like as a professional and that he wants to play at the top level for as long as possible.

"We know his injury history and that he needs to be looked after. He looks after himself better than any player I know, and his club are looking after him too.

"I wouldn't call it a new lease of life at Liverpool because he's never lost his drive and enthusiasm for the game.

"It probably is helping us that he's making a different sort of contribution - although knowing him I'm sure it won't be long before he's forced his way into getting 90 minutes all the time."