By Matthew Jones
September 26 2002

The former Coventry star's place in the side at Birmingham on Saturday could even be under threat, with manager Sir Bobby Robson given the option of bedding in the fit-again Lomana Lua Lua alongside Alan Shearer ahead of next Tuesday's trip to Turin. Craig Bellamy has begged Newcastle fans for forgiveness over the headbutt incident which has further damaged the team's Champions League chances.

The fiery Welsh striker was on Wednesday banned for three European matches by Uefa. He will miss Newcastle's next three Champions League games, costing them dearly.

And with United, having lost their first two ties, now odds on to be eliminated from the competition after four more group games, Bellamy's Champions League campaign is all but over.

The 23-year-old was not penalised by the referee after the clash with Dynamo Kiev star Tiberiu Ghioane in the Ukraine last week.

But a Uefa disciplinary committee used television evidence to teach Bellamy what he describes as "a painful lesson". I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone at the club," he said, "I want to say sorry to the board of directors, the manager, my team-mates and, most of all, the supporters of Newcastle United.
"Although there is no excuse, I can only say that I have worked very hard to regain full fitness and achieve my goal of playing in the Champions League for Newcastle."

Bellamy will miss both matches against Juventus and the home match with Dynamo Kiev on 29 October, leaving just the away match with Feyenoord in November in this round of group games.

And the former Coventry star's place in the side at Birmingham on Saturday could even be under threat, with manager Sir Bobby Robson given the option of bedding in the fit-again Lomana Lua Lua alongside Alan Shearer ahead of next Tuesday's trip to Turin.