Craig Bellamy has insisted he will be ready to play for Wales in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus.
Striker not surprised by speedy recovery
Craig Bellamy has insisted he will be ready to play for Wales in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus.
The striker has been
passed fit to travel with the squad after returning from surgery earlier than expected.
He is already back in training and is looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
Bellamy said: "I am not surprised at all that I am ready to play. I had the operation on Thursday and was doing training on the bike on Friday back at West Ham.
"I was running on Saturday and Sunday and have done some much sharper work since then, and I feel fine.
"I could probably play now if I was asked. I have seen other players come back from the same operation and play very quickly."
Toshack surprise
John Toshack has expressed his delight and astonishment at Bellamy's speedy recovery, after stating previously that he did not expect his captain to start training with the squad again until Monday.
He explained: "I must admit I am really surprised he is here. I am stunned by the medical advice we are getting these days.
"It goes right against the grain of everything we have been brought up on during our careers. Injuries like this and operations are supposed to take a few weeks to recover from.
"But to find Michael Owen playing and scoring just days after his operation, and with the stitches still in, just amazes me. Now Craig is also back training."
Toshack added: "I can assure West Ham that we will not take any risks with Craig, none at all. He has trained with us and looked fine, but he will be monitored right through the week in Cyprus and I will not take any decision on him until Saturday morning ahead of the match."
