Bellamy ‘has the mental strength to cope’

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Craig Bellamy will be able to handle the pressure of playing three vital Liverpool games which coincide with his court appearance.

The Anfield manager insists the demands facing former club Blackburn today are well within the mental strength of the Wales international.

Bellamy should have been at Cardiff Magistrates Court this week – while on Wales duty – to answer a common assault charge, which he denies. The case was adjourned – and following a court decision yesterday, the new hearing will clash with three crucial matches next month.

Benitez said of his 27-year-old striker: “He can handle these pressures and play. He can always give us something, and if he wants to play then I have no problem.”

Bellamy’s new hearing starts on November 23, the day after he would have been expected to play at Anfield in a Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven. He will be in court the following morning for a trial which has been allocated five days to be completed. He will be in court on the Thursday and Friday, before returning to Anfield on Saturday, November 25, for the match against Manchester City.

Bellamy is then due back in Cardiff for two more days of the trial from the following Monday. Depending on the verdict, he could return to Merseyside for the game against Portsmouth on the Wednesday. It will be a demanding time for Bellamy, but Benitez said: “The important thing is all three games are at home here, and that will make it easier for him.

“He had a similar problem in Cardiff this week when the case was held up. But he showed a very strong, positive attitude and was able to captain his country, score and do well in both games.

Before that court case, Bellamy must face Blackburn, the club from which he joined Liverpool for £6m in the summer. The Anfield boss said: “Craig has scored for his country, has a lot of confidence now – and I want him to score the winner against Blackburn.”

Bellamy still has not scored a league goal for Liverpool, and Benitez added: “It is always important that players do well for their country, play well, and that has been the situation with Craig this week.

“He has had good games. Being captain of Wales is fantastic for him, and he has also scored – which will be good for his confidence.

“I am delighted he was made captain. He has accepted more responsibility, and that can help him. He needs to score more goals, and I hope he does that for Liverpool.

“Sometimes, playing against former teams, players have a problem. There is emotion; they play really hard and do not always have control over the game. I have talked to him about Blackburn, but he feels fine. We will need to talk with him again to see how he feels about the situation.”

Benitez is without injured Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt, who has not recovered from an ankle injury and also has doubts about Robbie Fowler (back), Mohammed Sissoko (ankle) and Daniel Agger (broken hand).