Bullish Wales up for a fight

14 April 2012

It is a sign of how far Wales have come in the last few years that they are prepared to take on one of the Premiership's biggest clubs over the use of Craig Bellamy.

Not so long ago, mostly before Mark Hughes took charge in 2000, Ryan Giggs seemed to be excused for mysterious injuries every time there was an inconsequential international.

The Football Association of Wales did not always fancy a fullon fight with his club, Manchester United, but if the same thing happened today there is every chance they would stand up for themselves.

That is what has happened over Newcastle striker Bellamy - and it is because Wales have a crucial Euro 2004 qualifier at the San Siro on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has missed his last three club games but after an independent scan on a dodgy knee, he has joined up with his international team-mates and Hughes says his chances of playing are good.

Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson has tried to put pressure on Wales and Bellamy to prevent the striker playing and his club have issued a statement which suggests legal action may not be far away.

Chief operating officer Russell Cushing said: "Wales must expect that we will fight tooth and nail on this issue. We must protect the interests of the club and the player to the fullest extent.

"Hughes's alleged statement that he is prepared to risk Bellamy on Saturday against the wishes of Newcastle boss Robson is disgraceful and a clear indicator of his total lack of respect or concern for the future wellbeing of the player and the relationship with the club."

But Wales are set to stand firm and Bellamy, who came through training yesterday and said he "felt better than I have for many months", was due to travel with the rest of the squad to Italy today.

One player who is used to an element of disruption surrounding games against Italy is Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage, who has already encountered the Azzurri on three memorable occasions.

None of those games has been as important as Saturday's, but they weren't without incident. "The first time I was involved against Italy I was thrown out of the squad," he recalled.

"In the second game (manager) Bobby Gould resigned and the third time was one of the best nights in Wales' history," Savage said, referring to last October's 2-1 victory at the Millennium Stadium.

"But I think this is the biggest game ever for Wales and I wonder what this trip will bring." Presumably not the low point of five years ago when Savage was ejected from the squad - but eventually reinstated - after a television stunt with him throwing away an Italy shirt.

That is one of the few moments he regrets in a career littered with controversies. Saturday's match is unlikely to precipitate Hughes's resignation either, as Wales will still have a chance to qualify for their first major championship since 1958, even if they lose.

Gould's reign, which ended in 1999 with a 4-0 defeat by Italy - a suspended Savage watched from the stands - was never built on such firm foundations. But if Wales could beat Italy for the second-time in a year, their remaininggames against Finland and Serbia at home would take on a different complexion.

Savage said: "This is the one, there is no messing about now. This is our biggest game and if we can get a point we are the favourites to qualify, but if Italy win then they are the favourites.

"It will be a hell of an occasion. Some of the lads who have played in Milan say it's unbelievable but it is not as good as the Millennium Stadium.

"The atmosphere will be one to relish. There is nothing to fear and we are all looking forward to it. Last October, we would have won wherever we were playing because we were brilliant.

"When you have got Giggs, Bellamy and John Hartson up front, no one can underestimate you."

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