Hughes' last-ditch Bellamy bid


By Matthew Jones
August 23 2002

Mark Hughes will make one last call to check on the fitness of Craig Bellamy before naming his Wales squad to face Finland next month. Mark Hughes will make one last call to check on the fitness of Craig Bellamy before naming his Wales squad to face Finland next month.

Hughes fears that the Newcastle flyer will not have enough match practice under his belt before the European championship qualifying clash in Helsinki, but will make one last check with his club manager Sir Bobby Robson before including or excluding him.

Bellamy is still recovering from a summer knee operation and missed Newcastle's opening-day demolition of West Ham on Monday.

Hughes - who names his squad to face Finland on Friday - said: "I will make one last call to Bobby Robson to find out what chance Craig has.

"I want him in the squad but there will be no point selecting him if he hasn't got a prayer of being fit.

"He's important to us and I will find out what his real chances are before I name the squad."

If Bellamy is unable to make the squad, Hughes is certain to call on him for October's clash with Italy.

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