Bellamy gets the all-clear

STUART BRENNAN

February 09, 2010

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy has shrugged off an injury scare and could be back in action against Stoke next week.

The Blues are breathing a sigh of relief after Bellamy was sent to see a specialist in London yesterday after picking up the problem in Saturday's defeat at Hull.

Bellamy has been troubled by left knee problems for most of his professional life and had a career-saving operation on his left knee in 2003. In December, he revealed that he fears he has less than two years left in his career.

The new injury, however, is to his right knee and he has been told he has a slight strain to his medial ligaments which keeps him out of tonight's league clash with Bolton.

Mancini said the appointment with a specialist had been precautionary.

"He reported the problem after the game on Saturday and it was important that he was checked out as soon as possible," said the City boss.

"If he is OK I would hope he is training again this week and available for Stoke."

The FA Cup fifth round tie with Stoke, on Saturday, and the league game against the same opponents three days later, may be a little soon but Bellamy may be OK to face former club Liverpool on February 21.

Roque Santa Cruz is fit again after a calf problem, to give Mancini a new striking option. But the manager says Bellamy is a key man.

“He is an important part of the team and with some big games coming up I would like to be able to pick Craig if possible,” said Mancini.

“We have some good options to choose from if he is not available, but Craig drives us on when he plays so I hope he is back for us very soon after Bolton.

“Craig is an influential member of the team. He is very strong and quick and always gives the team 100 per cent each time he plays. for us.

“It's not hard to understand why the City fans love him so much. He gives me a number of options and he has the kind of pace defenders fear. He is a vital part of my team and I'm very happy he's here.”

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Esso Blue. Carlitos is officially a GOD , Blues Town (09/02/2010 at 10:05)

Craig is a Great Guy and he always puts in his best for us,he can be very exciting. I happy for him that there is nothing serious.
If only he would have come here years ago.

mark jones (09/02/2010 at 10:08)

great news this guy is top drawer.

The eternal optimist, Dreamland (09/02/2010 at 10:16)

I think the big man has summed Bellamy up perfectly there, enough said!

The Insider, CTID. (09/02/2010 at 10:34)

Good news, come on craig keep fit son hope you make it through the rest of the season ! CTID BELIEVE.

Portsmouth Blue (09/02/2010 at 10:44)

Bellers is quality we are much better when he is on song long may he remain with us.

Pivo, Manchester (09/02/2010 at 10:46)

Great news. Even in the short time Mancini has been at City he's realised that Craig is a player who sets the tempo and energy levels he expects from all his players. It's just a pity that most can't match him. As an example of what I mean just watch the first Hull goal - 3 players just stood and watched Altidore run onto V of H's pass to score instead of one of them tracking him. For the 2nd Hull goal Craig almost charged down Boateng's attempt on the edge of the box. It's all down to attitude and the will to win.

PO (09/02/2010 at 10:54)

Great news. It's a shame that he hasn't got longer left in the game, I think he's found his home now and his passion and fearless attitude in the dressing room is what we've needed for a long time.

blue nose 123, Manchester (09/02/2010 at 11:22)

That has made me happy knowing his injury isnt serious... Honestly i didnt like bellamy when he first joined us (after bad press etc) but he definatly proved me so wrong and i now think hes a quality player and a great person. Thanks for that Bellers dont mind being proved wrong when you play great football for this great club please continue to do so :)

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (09/02/2010 at 11:26)

Thank God for that, we need Bellers for the up coming fixtures, especially in my opinion, the Liverpool and Tottenham games. CTID

When in Rome (09/02/2010 at 12:20)

blue nose 123, I agree with your whole comment.

bubba, cleethorpes (09/02/2010 at 12:33)

Good News! Sooner he's back in the line-up, the better. Pip..Pip..

czech mate, middleton (09/02/2010 at 12:56)

We really need Bellars , he is an inspiration . Good news ,glad nothing serious . Heres to a good result tonight , boys please attack and play like its a final .....

C.T.I.D 100 %

simon23 (09/02/2010 at 13:39)

Great buy although has been quite poor lately. Playing him on the left wing and having to track back to help the left back doesn't help. Let's see him play as a striker on the shoulder of the opposition centre backs and putting the fear of god into them. Pace is his main asset, let's use it.

Andrew Shaw (09/02/2010 at 13:44)

Bellamy is an example of exactly what we are missing amongst quite a few of the remaining ten players. He never ever stops working for ninety minutes even when he is having a poor game. If everyone else put in the effort that he did to go alongside the latent skill in the team, fourth would already be nailed on and third a distinct possibility. There is an old saying in life that the harder you work the luckier you get. We are where we are in the league because in certain games, most notably Hull, Spurs and Everton away, we didn't work hard enough. No excuses City. We have a squad and a team that is good enough to get fourth. Whether or not we have the mental strength, desire, will to win, application, work ethic, determination to succeed in this aim remains to be seen. On the evidence so far, the jury is out. We need a complete sea change in the attitude of this squad between now and the end of the season. Fourth is there for the taking. I can't believe they can't see this and yet they go and put out a display like that shocker against Hull.

Evan Georgiou (09/02/2010 at 14:30)

He is a vital part of my team and I'm very happy he's here

Forza Mancini,once again you have tapped into the heart of this wonderful Club...tonight 40000 plus will scream their hearts out as we destroy Bolton....and if we win the next six games you will start to finish the job that Hughes began.....its cloudy in CT but we have a dream in our hearts......

Bert Trautmann's FG42 , The Eastern Front of Manchester (09/02/2010 at 14:53)

Typical City that probably our hardest working player, someone above all that deserves to taste success and silverware here, may not last much more beyond 2012.

BI POLAR BLUE getting better (09/02/2010 at 15:36)

Every City player should sit up and take note of Craigs approach to being a well paid pro footballer. You can see every game is an honour for him and he truely give 100% for the people who really count at any club the FANS

PhilB65, City Forever (09/02/2010 at 15:39)

Andrew Shaw, spot on sir? If they don't learn they will be changes, and I hope that Mancini is given time to make changes instead of another new manager being brought in.

Tommyducks Blue (09/02/2010 at 16:49)

Great news - he must be the best player in the squad and can change a game in seconds. I hope we have the privilege of seeing him play for a while yet - for his sake as well as ours.

garden angel, the hague (09/02/2010 at 17:33)

Bellamy is burned out

GSW Blue (09/02/2010 at 17:38)

His first goal at OT will live long in the memory. The view we had of the goal from the away end corner was superb and I still have the scars on my shins from the celebration.

Like many was dubious when he signed but he has proved himself to be a top player with a great attitude. Remember at Wolves this season when he was getting dogs abuse until he stopped play for a head injury to one of theirs.

Great player, top man.

Louis K (09/02/2010 at 18:32)

Bellamy, an overrated kick and rush merchant who doesn't score enough goals. Not fit to lace Robinho's boots. 8 previous managers can't be wrong.

Where is the flair and genius going to come from to make City serious contenders and a Champions League club

boy blue, burnage (09/02/2010 at 22:37)

BELLAMY IS THE BEST THING THAT AS HAPPENED TO CITY IN YEARS. SO GOOD TO SEE YOU ARE ON THE MEND.CTID,

MBLUED, UK (10/02/2010 at 00:52)

Blue Nose 123, Manchester (10/02/2010 at 14:42)

MBLUED, UK
10/02/2010 at 00:52

Great comment!

Bellers is brilliant any1 that cant see that needs to go to specsavers

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