' Malky Mackay is concerned about Craig Bellamy '

' Malky Mackay concerned about Bellamy '
16th Sep 2013

Craig Bellamy had to withdraw from Saturdays game at Hull due to personal reasons.

Malky is also concerned about Bellamy's troubled knees, playing week in week out.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay admits Craig Bellamy's future is a concern and concedes the Welshman could soon be forced to turn his back on international football.

Bellamy revealed last week that he is unlikely to be fit enough to take on another qualifying campaign for his country and even suggested he could be in his last season as a professional.

The 34-year-old was absent from the Bluebirds squad that drew 1-1 with Hull on Saturday having played 90 minutes in World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Serbia.

Mackay is uncertain as to how long the forward will continue playing but accepts Bellamy's troublesome knees will force him to question how long he can go on.
"Craig is quite open in talking about it (retirement) so it's not a shock to anyone if it happens at the end of the season," said Mackay.
"He's someone at ease with seeing how the season goes and making that decision in the summer.
"I talk to him about Kevin Phillips and Ryan Giggs, who take it a season at a time, but there will be a point where, because of his knees, Craig wants a life with his family where he can walk about and not have arthritis in his knees for the rest of his life.
"And there'll be a point where he says 'that's not quite yet, I'm going to have another season'."
As for Bellamy's Wales career, Mackay is supportive but dubious.
He added: "There might be a point where he finally decides 'I've sweated and given blood for my country for a long time and I'll now come out of that to elongate my career'.


Monday 16th Sept 2013.

Craig Bellamy will decide future at end of season says Malky Mackay

Manager Malky Mackay expects Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy to make a decision on his playing future at the end of the season.

After helping the Bluebirds in to the Premier League he could retire when the current campaign finishes.

The 34-year-old Wales striker is out of contract with Cardiff City at the end of the 2013-14 season.

"He [Craig] is at a point now where he can look at situations like that as and when they come," said Mackay.

He hasn't looked his best in our games so far to be honest, I hope he can sort himself out and play his part in keeping us in the Premiership.

It's so much his ability on the pitch that helps us but his leadership and passion which filters down into the other players. I'd hate to lose that from the squad and if he does retire I would really hope he would stay on as a coach.

He hasn't looked his best in our games so far to be honest, I hope he can sort himself out and play his part in keeping us in the Premiership.

Hes not looked nothing like the player he was for two seasons to be fair but that comes with age, i can not remember the last time i seen him skin a player at all, stops and passes 99% of the time which tells me hes past it now as a wide man but hopefully he will pack it in this season and come onboard behind the scenes at the club

Maybe he should consider moving into tha more central position?

Ledley King!

Coleman's a fu'cking prick!.

he rests bale for 150 minutes of football over 5 days a young player not even in his prime with amazing fitness levels.
but makes bellamy play 2 games,

at 34 with bad knees clearly bellamy is more of a fitness concern hes just sneaky jack p*****
stuff coleman and wales I really hope bellamy doesnt play another game for wales

^^^ Spot on IMO