Bellamy out of Wales squad to face Ireland

Wales boss Gary Speed has left Craig Bellamy out of his squad for the Carling Nations Cup match against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin next month.

The forward, on loan at Cardiff from Manchester City, has an ongoing knee problem which restricts the number of games he can play in, and he is set to feature in a crucial game for the Bluebirds against fellow npower Championship promotion contenders Swansea on Sunday, two days before Wales’ game against the Irish on February 8.