Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy frozen out by Wales boss John Toshack
Out in the cold: Wales striker Craig Bellamy[LNB]Craig Bellamy's international career may be over after John Toshack refused to confirm whether Manchester City's striker forms part of his future plans.[LNB]The in-form forward was surprisingly omitted from the Wales squad, despite making himself available for tomorrow's friendly against Sweden, sparking rumours that he had played his final game for his country.[LNB]Toshack was given ample opportunity during his press briefing to scupper suggestions that Bellamy's absence would only be on a temporary basis, but refused to make his thinking clear.[LNB] The news will come as a major snub to the Cardiff-born striker who has always maintained an eagerness to play for his country. He did admit before the final World Cup qualification fixture against Finland last October that continuing injury concerns over his knee may preclude him from appearing in every game.[LNB]However, news that he would not be playing in Swansea has come as a shock as Bellamy had told friends that he was looking forward to returning to south Wales this week.[LNB]It is understood that once Toshack's squad had been announced, contact was made on Bellamy's behalf with a member of the national coach's backroom staff but that held little sway with former Real Madrid boss Toshack who stuck firmly to his original plans[LNB] Asked why Bellamy had been overlooked, Toshack said: 'The player and his manager were concerned ahead of our last friendly that he may not be able to play in those matches because of a condition that has been well-documented.[LNB] All-action: Bellamy dives Ivanovic in the Manchester City's clash at Chelsea[LNB]'We thought if that was the case, we have young players who need to push on. We will take the opportunity to give them more international matches. That's what we have decided to do.'[LNB]To the suggestion that Bellamy would be needed for the 2012 qualification matches against England and that he will still form part of Wales's plans, Toshack added: 'I don't know. I haven't got a crystal ball.[LNB]'His performances have been limited with injury. The way the other two forwards performed, Ched Evans and Simon Church, the more people we have competing for places the better.[LNB] 'He won't form part of our plans if he's injured. Out of our last 15 matches, he's missed 10. We don't want to rely too heavily on him. The more games the others get, the better we will be.'[LNB] Chelsea 2 Manchester City 4: Smiling assassin Wayne Bridge takes down John Terry Emmanuel Adebayor shocker as Manchester City striker admits: I didn't want to leave ArsenalMANCHESTER CITY FC
