MALKY: "Bellamy will play on for years."

Speaking from the club's training camp in Switzerland, Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay predicts his star player Craig Bellamy will play on for years after international retirement.

Malky Mackay believes Cardiff City talisman Craig Bellamy can play in the Premier League for ‘the next few seasons’.

The Bluebirds boss insists Bellamy’s decision to retire from international football at the end of the World Cup 2014 campaign will help him play on at club level for years to come.

“He has a hunger and wants to play for his home club,” says Mackay. Any thought of retirement is a few years off yet. He’s nowhere near that.”

Bellamy, who turned 34 this week, underlined Mackay’s thoughts with hard running, and fierce competitive spirit during tough training sessions at the Premier League club's summer training camp in Lausanne, Switzerland, consistently winning the sprints as City players kept up a relentless pace.

“Craig is a huge influence, a senior player who has been there, seen it, done it,” says Mackay. I have great belief in him. He has grasped the nettle in terms of coming to Cardiff and buying into what we are doing, which something different to what he has been used to.

“Craig is used to a dog eat dog world at Newcastle United, Manchester City and Liverpool. Here at Cardiff it’s a different approach. He has to be a mentor to some of younger guys. There can be times when he is frustrated about something or other. That’s often when he realises there are times when he has to take a step back and go and help guys.”

When Bellamy first arrived back for his second stint at the Bluebirds, there was a belief that he would be used sparingly but he made 28 Championship starts last season and is hungry for more action this term.

Mackay said: “He played more matches last season than he has for a while over and he realises the medical team here are first class in terms of individual approach we have to managing his body. That enabled him to play more matches than he thought he would be able to play. He is always learning as well and at same time he has experience to pass on in Premier League.

“Craig has a hunger. His big driving force in coming to Cardiff the first time was to try and get his home team into Premier League football. Then he came back and it was clear he had a desire to maybe help finish the task. As the season went on that became apparent. His next step is the dream of pulling on a Cardiff strip in Premier League football and that’s going to happen.”

Bellamy announced last month that he is to retire from international football after the current qualifying campaign and Mackay believes that will help extend his club playing days.

His club manager added: “Opting to retire mean he can prolong his club career. That’s more so from the travelling aspect of it and the extra games that are in a short space of time between league games. Our medical approach has been set to make sure his body is managed as well as possible. That allowed him to play, for example, four games in 10 days over Christmas when nobody could believe it. “Ending that international travelling will help his body.”

After already appearing 73 times for his country, Bellamy is now preparing for the end as Chris Coleman's team will face Ireland, Macedonia, Serbia and Belgium later this year.

“Nobody can call into question anything about Craig’s international career,” insists Mackay. “He has turned up for games and wrapped himself in Welsh flag for years. The time has come for him to bow out and he has said he will do that and a new generation will come through.

“Now, as always, it’s about how he manages his body. Eventually the body gives up for a footballer, but that’s a few years away yet. The approach we have is that we have yoga sessions, boxing training, sprint coaching, chiropractor, strength and conditioning – all little extras which help players keep on top of their body. Craig is somebody who does look after his body. He has the right approach and his body fat is still great. Yes, there will come a time in the future where his body will say enough, but he is a nowhere near that point yet. Craig is a big part of our plans.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ay-5118646

I think it's a case of wishful thinking on the part of Mackay regarding Bellamy" playing on for years"................i think it's more than a possibility that Bellamy will replace Mackay as the next City Manager,as to when that might happen,i say watch this space

do his knees still give him trouble? if so 2-3 years max unfortunately

I'm so glad he's ours

I'm so glad he's ours

I'm so glad he's ours

well he has less games to play in the prem so if he is managed wisely and his body holds up then he will be a big asset for a few years yet.past his peak footballing wise but still a very decent lad. not past his peak in passion and motivational powers.that,s where he is really needed.malky knows this

do his knees still give him trouble? if so 2-3 years max unfortunately

A few months ago he said his knees aren't the problem now. The medical staff got it under control. He's had more hamstring trouble than anything else,which is also a killer

Hopefully the little shit will, he,s shite

Nothing on a new deal as he's OOC in the summer. Could be he wont do another season in the Championship.

I would be shocked if Bellamy lasted two more full seasons, but also at the same time if he did, you would have to say it would be astounding if he does and I for one would say Bells has made a remarkable recovery with his knee problem, but with Bells I suppose you could say nothing would surprise me with his fitness level