Bellamy boost for Wales

Euro 2008 qualifying: Less than 24 hours after John Toshack expressed his amazement that Craig Bellamy might recover from last Thursday's groin surgery to play against San Marino next week, the Wales captain came through a training session yesterday and promptly brought forward his remarkable comeback to Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifying fixture in Cyprus, where he expects to lead his country.

Bellamy's place on the plane that landed in Cyprus late last night provided Wales with a major fillip for their two imminent qualifying fixtures.

The Wales manager had dismissed Bellamy's chances of featuring against Cyprus in Nicosia - a match that will come only nine days after the West Ham United striker was operated on in Germany - and was highly circumspect about playing the striker in San Marino four days later, given the danger of risking further injury.

"I think by coming with us today he has showed that he quite fancies making it on Saturday. To have our captain back with us, particularly after his performance in the last game, gives us all a lift," said Toshack.

Toshack can breathe a sigh of relief, since he had been concerned at the paucity of his attacking options. Robert Earnshaw had played only 15 minutes of competitive football for Derby County since he featured for Wales against Germany last month, and Wycombe's Jermaine Easter and the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Freddy Eastwood are also short of match practice.

Wales are confident Bellamy, who has played only 20 minutes for West Ham since he scored twice against Slovakia last month during the 5-2 win that rekindled hopes of finishing third in Group D, will collect his 48th cap in Nicosia.

• Guardian Service

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times