Bellamy interest growing

Blackburn, Birmingham and Portsmouth today confirmed they have made enquiries to Newcastle about taking Craig Bellamy on loan.

All three clubs are seeking attacking reinforcements as the January transfer window nears its conclusion and Bellamy is seen as a prime target following his fall-out with manager Graeme Souness.

Rovers have also been linked with Norwegian international John Carew, who is currently at Besiktas.

Hughes, who worked with Bellamy when he was manager of Wales, would jump at the chance of borrowing the forward but it appears unlikely he could afford to buy the 25-year-old outright, at the moment.

“An enquiry was made to see the what the current situation was but no more than that,” said Hughes.

“There is a lot of speculation flying around the boy at the moment because he is a very, very good football player. Whether or not Newcastle would be receptive to a loan deal I possibly doubt. If a player of his talent becomes available most clubs are interested.

“From my own point of view I worked with Craig, I enjoyed working with him, he’s a good professional, he loves playing football and I hope it resolves itself for both Craig and Newcastle’s sake.”

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric today confirmed he has also made an enquiry, while Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said: “I think half the Premiership have enquired about taking Bellamy on loan – and we have enquired ourselves.”

Robbie Savage, the former Birmingham midfielder who has recently completed a controversial transfer to Blackburn, would be “delighted” to see his fellow Wales international at Ewood Park.

Savage said: “Like me, Craig is an honest lad, he sticks up for himself and he says what he thinks which nowadays, as I have discovered to my cost, gets you into trouble.

“There is speculation that Blackburn might be interested in bringing Craig to Ewood Park and I would be delighted if he were to come here.

“No matter what people say about him, he is a world-class player who would grace any team in the Premiership and everyone in the game knows what he is capable of when he is fit and in top form.”