Injured Bellamy in Wales squad for World Cup double-header

16 March 2009 16:50
National service: Bellamy is desperate to be involved Wales boss John Toshack has named captain Craig Bellamy in his squad for the next two World Cup qualifiers even though he is a serious doubt due to a knee injury. Wales play Finland and Germany in Group Four qualifiers in Cardiff on March 28 and April 1 respectively. Toshack announced a 27-man squad which included Manchester City striker Bellamy, who has not played since damaging his knee against his former club West Ham on March 1. He is not expected to play a first-team game for the Eastlands club before Wales' two crunch qualifiers. However it is believed that Bellamy has intimated to the FA of Wales that he wants to be involved in the two matches. Such a situation could well give City boss Mark Hughes - Toshack's predecessor in the Wales job - some concerns with a UEFA Cup campaign also still in full swing. Toshack has also included West Ham defender James Collins, who is only just back in light training following a hamstring injury, but club-mate Jack Collison is out with a dislocated knee which will see him sidelined for six to seven weeks. Hull's Sam Ricketts has been included despite being suspended for the Finland match following two bookings, while Blackpool's David Vaughan is out with a hamstring strain. Veteran Carl Robinson, now with Toronto, has been included, having missed the recent friendly against Poland in Portugal. Toshack also has concerns over Peterborough defender Craig Morgan, who has a foot injury. If Morgan and Collins both fail to recover in time, Wales should have adequate cover. Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams - on loan at Burnley - has been elevated from the Wales Under 21 squad who face a UEFA Championship double-header against Luxembourg on March 27 and 31. There was also a recall today for Bristol City midfielder Gavin Williams, who was capped twice during his spell with West Ham. Wales squad for World Cup Group Four qualifying matches against Finland on March 28 and against Germany April 1: Hennessey (Wolves), Myhill (Hull), Fon Williams (Stockport), Bale (Tottenham), Collins (West Ham), Eardley (Oldham), Gunter (Tottenham, on loan at Nottingham Forest), Nyatanga (Derby), Ricketts (Hull), A Williams (Swansea), S Davies (Fulham), D Edwards (Wolves), Fletcher (Crystal Palace, on loan at Plymouth), Tudor Jones (Swansea, on loan at Swindon), Koumas (Wigan), Ledley (Cardiff), Ramsey (Arsenal), Bellamy (Manchester City), Cotterill (Sheffield United), Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Evans (Manchester City), Vokes (Wolves), R Williams (Middlesbrough, on loan at Burnley), G Williams (Bristol City), Morgan (Peterborough).

Source: Daily_Mail