Bellamy’s hamstring NOT AS BAD AS FIRST THOUGHT!!
Mon May 16, 2011 6:22 am
CRAIG Bellamy’s injury may not be as serious as first feared, according to the Cardiff City captain’s own fitness guru.
The Wales international limped off with a hamstring problem in the Bluebirds’ 0-0 draw at Reading in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Friday.
With the second leg set for the Welsh capital tomorrow night Bellamy remains major doubt as Cardiff look to keep their Premier League dream on track.
But now, the man who has guided Bellamy’s fitness Programme during his season at Cardiff, Raymond Verheijen, has revealed the problem might not be as bad as first suspected.
Although the Dutchman still maintains Bellamy remains a major doubt for tomorrow night’s crunch fixture.
Verheijen, who is currently Wales assistant manger, posted on his twitter account: “Although Tuesday is still a question mark it looks like a lucky escape. But still we should learn our lessons.”
Bellamy was having a scan on the injury this weekend in a bid to determine if there was a tear or if the hamstring was merely strained.
Verheijen, who has worked closely with the Wales striker since first pairing up at Manchester City, spoke highly of Bellamy’s decision to call time on his appearance at the Madejski Stadium after complaining of a tight hamstring.
But he emphasised it was a “clear signal” that Cardiff will have to tread carefully if they want to make sure their star man is available for any Wembley date of destiny.
Verheijen took to twitter to make his comments, writing: “Smart move by Craig to get off as a precaution because of a tight hamstring. But even if he can play next Tuesday, tonight was a clear signal.
“Explosive players accumulate extreme fatigue during two games in three days, or three games in seven days. It’s impossible to recover fully before next game.”
After watching his side fight out a draw at the Madejski Stadium on Friday, Bluebirds’ boss Dave jones admitted the loss of Bellamy could prove a major blow to his side’s promotion hopes.
But Jones is ready to give his star striker chance of making tomorrow night’s game by leaving any decision as late as possible.
“It’s a shame he came off on Friday but we haven’t given up hope that he can play again for us yet,” insisted Jones.
“Craig is a quality player so he would make a big difference for us. But we will have to wait and see how he is.”
If Bellamy is not available for tomorrow night’s match, striker Michael Chopra, who replaced him on Friday, will move back into the Cardiff starting XI.
The 27 year old has had a hit-and-miss season suffering from injury and has found himself demoted to the bench by Jones on several occasions.
Chopra has nine league goals this campaign, but not found the net since the Bluebirds win at Hull back on February 26.
He has not started a game since March, but, ahead of tomorrow’s game, teammate Seyi Olofinjana insisted if Bellamy was not fit to start then Chopra was the ideal replacement.
“Losing Craig on Friday was a massive blow and hopefully the injury is not too serious,” said Olofinjana. “But we have the perfect replacement in Michael Chopra. He has proved he can score goals in the Championship and I’m sure he will be ready for the team. He is a very good player and he will do a very good job.
“He would be a great replacement and what more could you ask for. No one would doubt his ability and we know we have the quality to go through.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z1MUfyFz5T
The Wales international limped off with a hamstring problem in the Bluebirds’ 0-0 draw at Reading in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Friday.
With the second leg set for the Welsh capital tomorrow night Bellamy remains major doubt as Cardiff look to keep their Premier League dream on track.
But now, the man who has guided Bellamy’s fitness Programme during his season at Cardiff, Raymond Verheijen, has revealed the problem might not be as bad as first suspected.
Although the Dutchman still maintains Bellamy remains a major doubt for tomorrow night’s crunch fixture.
Verheijen, who is currently Wales assistant manger, posted on his twitter account: “Although Tuesday is still a question mark it looks like a lucky escape. But still we should learn our lessons.”
Bellamy was having a scan on the injury this weekend in a bid to determine if there was a tear or if the hamstring was merely strained.
Verheijen, who has worked closely with the Wales striker since first pairing up at Manchester City, spoke highly of Bellamy’s decision to call time on his appearance at the Madejski Stadium after complaining of a tight hamstring.
But he emphasised it was a “clear signal” that Cardiff will have to tread carefully if they want to make sure their star man is available for any Wembley date of destiny.
Verheijen took to twitter to make his comments, writing: “Smart move by Craig to get off as a precaution because of a tight hamstring. But even if he can play next Tuesday, tonight was a clear signal.
“Explosive players accumulate extreme fatigue during two games in three days, or three games in seven days. It’s impossible to recover fully before next game.”
After watching his side fight out a draw at the Madejski Stadium on Friday, Bluebirds’ boss Dave jones admitted the loss of Bellamy could prove a major blow to his side’s promotion hopes.
But Jones is ready to give his star striker chance of making tomorrow night’s game by leaving any decision as late as possible.
“It’s a shame he came off on Friday but we haven’t given up hope that he can play again for us yet,” insisted Jones.
“Craig is a quality player so he would make a big difference for us. But we will have to wait and see how he is.”
If Bellamy is not available for tomorrow night’s match, striker Michael Chopra, who replaced him on Friday, will move back into the Cardiff starting XI.
The 27 year old has had a hit-and-miss season suffering from injury and has found himself demoted to the bench by Jones on several occasions.
Chopra has nine league goals this campaign, but not found the net since the Bluebirds win at Hull back on February 26.
He has not started a game since March, but, ahead of tomorrow’s game, teammate Seyi Olofinjana insisted if Bellamy was not fit to start then Chopra was the ideal replacement.
“Losing Craig on Friday was a massive blow and hopefully the injury is not too serious,” said Olofinjana. “But we have the perfect replacement in Michael Chopra. He has proved he can score goals in the Championship and I’m sure he will be ready for the team. He is a very good player and he will do a very good job.
“He would be a great replacement and what more could you ask for. No one would doubt his ability and we know we have the quality to go through.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z1MUfyFz5T
Re: Bellamy’s hamstring NOT AS BAD AS FIRST THOUGHT!!
Mon May 16, 2011 6:51 am
The trouble is Bellamy's own stubborness here and whether he listens to Dutch Ray or not ........... best bet is to keep him on the bench for the game tomorrow and keep him fit for a potential Wembley Final 