CARDIFF CITY star Craig Bellamy is back and looking ‘immense’ according to his boss Malky Mackay.
The 33-year-old Wales international is expected to make at least the bench as the Bluebirds entertain Leeds in the Championship today.
During the international break, Bellamy has successfully recovered from a calf tear amid reports and rumours that personal issues had affected his focus on the game in general.
Robust Mackay, though, dismissed such conjecture, insisting the capital’s home town hero is ready to put the frighteners on Neil Warnock’s Yorkshiremen.
“Craig is training here every day. He’s not in a bad state of mind at all,” said Mackay.
“He’s back in contention for the Leeds game and will be part of the squad. He had a nasty calf tear which stopped him training. But now he’s had four days training, we have been cautious and careful.
“At the same time, over the last two days, he has looked immense out there. He’s trained really well and he is part of my squad to face Leeds.”
But, after the Bluebirds’ stunning 3-1 win over Wolves last time out, whatever Bellamy’s condition, his route back to the first team is not straightforward.
Amid a host of stunning debuts that day, it was Craig Noone, in for £1m from Brighton, who almost stole the show from hat-trick hero Peter Whittingham.
Striker Nicky Maynard too put in a very promising debut against Wanderers.
But, with options all around, Mackay insists that no-one in his first team right now need get too comfortable about their place.
“I’m not going to fiddle with the team too much, but if I pick a different team, I pick a different team,” said Mackay.
“I’ve never been one to say, if they play one week and they win, they play the next week.
“That’s not the case, it’s about analysing things. It’s horses for courses, but I was very pleased with the performance against Wolves, who have just come down from the Premier League.
“I targeted Craig Noone for two years. I know the potential which is there, so I’m delighted to have him.
“He’s someone me and my staff can push every day to make sure he becomes the best player he can possibly be.
“There’s still an awful lot to come there.
“I tried to get Nicky for six months too. We were in the right place at the right time when it came to that deal. He’s another who is desperate to do well and to get success.
“He’s a smashing kid. He wants to train every day, score goals and play well. He’s very low maintenance in that way.”
Mackay looks to have seen his squad return from their international duties without any injury scares.
The major doubt is centre-half Ben Turner, who missed the Bluebirds’ last two outings with a foot injury, and who could well be out again today.
Stephen McPhail and Rudy Gestede remain absent, but are back in training as they work towards fitness.
One blow for Mackay this week was an injury to young winger Kadeem Harris, who picked up an ankle problem in training and could face a long while out.
Today’s clash could well be another classic encounter between two old foes who currently lie side-by-side at the top end of the table.
They boast identical records, having won two, drawn one and lost one at the start of the campaign.
But, according to wily old campaigner Warnock, that is where the similarities end between the two clubs currently.
The Leeds boss, famed for his mind games, has pleaded poverty in the face of Mackay’s £10m spending spree this summer.
The 63-year-old, twice promoted to the Premier League with Sheffield United and QPR, has put the pressure on the apprentice by insisting Mackay’s men remain firm favourites.
Mackay is full of admiration for Warnock, but laughed off his assertions.
“Favourites? I’m not sure I’d agree with that, but Neil knows what he’s doing,” said Mackay.
“People say he’s old school and I think people have a lack of respect for that nowadays.
“He is old, you could say that, but he’s not old school.
“He’s experienced and he knows how to get the job done. That’s been proven time after time.
“I’ve known him for 15 years. It’s incredible the amount of success and promotions he’s had.
“In that time if he’s been out of work for six months in 15 years then that’s about it and that is great testament to the man. He’s bringing a team full of experience and he’s making it the way he wants.
“They are a team which knows the Championship off by heart.
“I don’t know if the game will be a classic, but I’m expecting a tough game. They always are. They have fantastic support. It should be a great atmosphere.”
Warnock himself welcomed former Sheffield United charge, Michael Tonge, into his midfield this week on loan from Stoke.
He will be looking today to earn only Leeds’ second-ever league win in the Welsh capital, with the last one coming back in 1984. And Warnock has warned that he and his side, which includes former Bluebirds’ striker Ross McCormack, will be going for all three points even whilst, in his own inimitable style, urging his players not to be in ‘awe’ of their Cardiff counterparts.
“ If we lose, we lose, but we’ve got to be looking to win games,” said Warnock
“That’s the way I am and it’s the way I always want to be. You should never be in awe of anybody.
“There’ll be a lot of times, like this weekend, when you look at the teams we’re playing and on paper you’d think they should beat us all ends up.
“But these aren’t computer games. They’re played on a pitch and in real life.
“Things happen in real life. There’ll be expectation on Cardiff, more expectation than there is on us.”
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