Wales accept Bellamy loss

Toshack must prepare for Scotland clash without his skipper

Last updated: 10th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wales accept Bellamy loss

Bellamy: Groin problem

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John Toshack admits there was little he could do to prevent Craig Bellamy withdrawing from the Wales squad.

The national skipper is set to miss Saturday's friendly date with Scotland after tweaking a groin injury while in action for Manchester City.

Bellamy has, however, travelled with the Blues for their mid-season break in Abu Dhabi.

It has been suggested that he could be fit in time to feature for Mark Hughes' side in a meeting with the UAE on Thursday.

Toshack admits the Welsh medical staff will be keeping tabs on Bellamy's situation, but accepts that he must bow to the wishes of the striker's employers.

"We saw that after his last game for us (in Finland), when he came back he had picked up an injury and missed the next Manchester City game," he said.

Treatment

"Now he has played the full 90 minutes for City last Saturday (against Burnley) and after the match their doctor was straight on the phone to our medical people saying that Craig had complained of a groin injury towards the end of the game.

"But the match was at such a point that he stayed on, finished the game and a decision was made that they would have a look at him yesterday morning.

"Apparently their doctor has talked to our doc again, and they have both agreed he would be very doubtful for this game with Scotland.

"It was better that he stayed with the Manchester City people to get his treatment and recover properly. Now he has gone off with City to Abu Dhabi, which makes sense if their medical people have also gone out there.

"He will get the necessary treatment while he is with them. And there is not much we can do about that."