Bellamy drops quit hint

10 October 2009 11:30
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Craig Bellamy has admitted he may be forced to turn his back on Wales in order to prolong his club career.[LNB] The Manchester City striker has been in blistering form this season, but has struggled with injuries over recent years.[LNB]With that in mind, he fears he may need to call time on his international commitments in an effort to preserve his body.[LNB]With City harbouring ambitions of breaking into Europe this season, Bellamy accepts that he would struggle to cope with the rigours of competing at the highest level for both club and country.[LNB]"If Manchester City get into the Champions League, and I'm still a very big part of that, then I have to be realistic," said the 30-year-old frontman.[LNB]"Can I compete properly in the Champions League, Premier League and every day do battle to fight for my place in the team?[LNB]"Would I be able to play 60 games a season? Probably not.[LNB]"I know if my knee is sore one week, playing a friendly in Australia on a Wednesday, for example, may not work out for me. I will have to look at it."[LNB]TrustMeanwhile, Bellamy has admitted that his fine form this season has been down to the faith shown in him by club boss, and fellow Welshman, Mark Hughes.[LNB]He said: "Everything seems to make sense to me on the pitch at the moment. Everything just seems to be going the way I want it to.[LNB]"I'm with familiar faces, people I would trust with my life and when you are comfortable like that, you would give everything for them. The rest just comes off the back of that.[LNB]"I've been with Mark Hughes since I was 16. If anyone knows me as a player, it's him. He doesn't do anything special for me before a game. I just know where I am. Sir Bobby Robson did the same for me. He looked to get the best out of each individual. Some managers don't do that. Others do.[LNB]"It's not that I feel especially appreciated at Manchester City. I just know where I am. The manager pulled me in at the start of the season and straightaway said, 'I'd back you against anyone. I know what you are like. If you are fit, I'd put my money on you, so just go out there and get your place'.[LNB]"At that moment, I knew I was part of it. It didn't matter who came into the club. I'm feeling confident and comfortable. I can really give it a go. Being with outstanding players inspires you to a level, too. It's been a pretty rewarding period after the hard work I've had to get to this stage, with the injuries I've had.[LNB]"People might say that I've not progressed as I should have. I'd agree. But I've not been fully fit for a whole season. Normally, I set myself targets, like 'I want to score this many goals' or whatever. But coming into this season I set myself just one.[LNB]"Myself, the physios and the fitness coaches at Manchester City, we all sat down at the start of the season and I said to them: 'Make sure I'm fit this season'. I knew I could only challenge for my place if I was fit."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports