Newcastle point finger at Wales over Bellamy injury

NEWCASTLE are preparing for another club versus country row over Craig Bellamy as concern mounts about his injury problems.

United are yet to reveal the results of scans carried out on Monday on the knee which kept the striker out of Wednesday night's 1-0 UEFA Cup win in Breda.

Manager Bobby Robson remained diplomatic after leaving the 24-year-old on Tyneside when he jetted out to Holland with the rest of his players.

However, the fact that the latest lay-off for the Welshman came directly after his appearance for his country against Serbia and Montenegro at the weekend and not for the first time has not been lost on chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Shepherd was yesterday due to hold talks with Robson over the Bellamy situation on his return from Breda, but his stance appears to be hardening.

"I'm very disappointed he's returned once again from international duty with an injury and I will be having a meeting with Bobby Robson now that he's returned from Holland to find the best way forward for both the club and the player," Shepherd said.

"We'll also be asking the Welsh FA for an explanation," he said.

United and Wales have clashed in the past over Bellamy's continuing injury problems, and although Robson and Mark Hughes have maintained a regular dialogue over the player, his employers are unhappy that it is they who appear to be bearing the brunt.

The pacy frontman is a key member of the Magpies' strongest starting 11, but has missed too many games for the liking of both himself and his manager with his damaged knees.

Bellamy has already undergone five separate knee operations during his relatively short career to date, and he himself acknowledges that that cannot continue if he is to fulfil his potential.

Newcastle will be keeping their fingers crossed that the latest alarm proves to be only a minor setback, with Robson urging the former Norwich and Coventry player to prepare himself mentally to play in Saturday's derby at Middlesbrough before he left for Holland.

But even if he manages to do that, Shepherd is determined to seek a long-term solution to a problem which he believes has already caused Robson too many headaches.

Shola Ameobi has previously deputised for Bellamy when he has been sidelined this season, and he could get his chance again at the Riverside Stadium if the more senior man does not make it.

The 22-year-old got 90 minutes under his belt as a lone striker at the MyCom Stadium on Wednesday night as skipper Alan Shearer was rested with the derby in mind.