CRAIG Bellamy believes his career could be over within two years.

The feisty City striker is hoping to head back to Anfield to face former club Liverpool at the weekend with the fires still burning bright within him.

He is currently trying to shake off a groin strain which saw him miss Wales's friendly international with Scotland at the weekend.

And the 30-year-old Welsh ace was brutally honest about the toll taken on him by a succession of knee injuries. Those injuries have led to a series of operations, including career-saving surgery by US specialist Richard Steadman, who also kept Alan Shearer and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the game.

City boss Mark Hughes already tries not to play Bellamy more than once a week to protect the joint, and the player is contemplating retirement from international football if City qualify for European football next season.

"I know there aren't four or five years ahead of me with the injuries that I've had," said Bellamy.

"Maybe I've got one or two years at the most and it'll be all over before I know it, so I'm just enjoying it."

Towards the end of a career packed with controversy and unfulfilled potential, Bellamy feels he is close to showing the world what he can do. "The last few months have given me a huge sense of pride. I think people have seen what I am as a player now," he said.

"I have always got goals in my career, but am I a one-goal-in- two-games player? No, I'm not, but my career has been one-in- three, which is not too bad."

In an interview on Sky Sports, Bellamy spoke of his respect for Hughes - and his belief City's owners did not know who he was when Hughes suggested signing him last winter.