" CRAIG BELLAMY READY TO PLAY & CONNOLLY READY "

" Virtually exactly what was reported on here on 12th November 2012, Monday morning "

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Craig Bellamy set to return for Cardiff City v Middlesbrough
By Terry PhillipsNov 15 2012


Craig Bellamy is set to return after injury

CRAIG Bellamy is fit and ready for Bluebirds action against Middlesbrough at home this Saturday.

He flew back this week after a secret seven day trip to America and manager Malky Mackay confirmed: “We are extremely hopeful Craig will be in our squad this weekend.”

Bellamy and City physiotherapist Sean Connelly flew to America for a week’s treatment and rehabilitation on the ankle injury sustained against Watford three weeks ago.

“The trip was well worthwhile and Craig is fit and ready,” says Mackay.


“He will train with us over the next couple of days and will be assessed, but there is every chance he will be in our squad against Middlesbrough.

“Craig has been like a 20-year-old for us and his closing down of the opposition is exceptional.

“As an attacking player I look at the amount of panic he causes.

“Craig is the whole package and we are delighted he is back in our squad.”

The return of Bellamy, who has made seven Championship appearances and scored two goals this season, is a massive boost for what is a crunch clash in the promotion chase.

In-form Boro are unbeaten in their last nine matches, earning seven wins and two draws, while Cardiff have started their home campaign with a club record eight successive wins.

Bellamy flew to the USA to work with specialists on the ankle injury sustained during Cardiff’s 2-1 home win against Watford.

A long-standing knee problem is not causing him any concern and doctors in America gave him the go-ahead to resume full training with the Bluebirds at their Vale of Glamorgan Resort training headquarters.

Bellamy is likely to be among the substitutes against Middlesbrough tomorrow after being out for several weeks, while right-back Matt Connolly is expected to be available again.

The return of Connolly for Kevin McNaughton, who went off with a thigh strain during Cardiff’s 2-1 win against Hull City, is likely to be the only change to the starting line-up.

great news this! second half what a sub to be able to bring on... especially if we can sneak a lead at half time. boro will try and press us but with bellamy coming on and causing panic amongst their defenders this will be a huge bonus... good news on connolly too. i like him as a player, i also hope we start with gunnarsson in the middle..

still no news on mutch.. this nerve injury he has is really strange, if hes fully fit as he said. but can suffer pain in his foot at any time , what about the painkilling injections??

Great News , the crowd seem to have more of an edge to them when Bellamy is in the team . Good news about Connoly too.
3 Lovely points please .

Malky is "extremely hopeful" lets hope that means he plays

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Glory hunters

Love this line......

"Craig causes so much panic as an attacking player"

Bloody true that

It's in the stars Bellamy off the bench and scores the winner with a screamer

Both fit both play hopefully!

Bellers get's the team going following his example, which gets the crowd going, c'mon Malky if CB 39 is fit enough for bench, start him !

Are we so backward in the UK that he needs to fly to the US for treatment?

It's in the stars Bellamy off the bench and scores the winner with a screamer

Craig Bellamy is likely to be among the Cardiff substitutes against Middlesbrough this weekend having missed the last four games.

Bellamy flew to the USA to work with specialists on the ankle injury sustained during Cardiff's 2-1 win against Watford and was given the go-ahead to resume full training with the Bluebirds ahead of the clash with in-form Boro.

Kevin McNaughton was substituted in the victory over Hull with a thigh strain and is unlikely to feature. If that proves to be the case he will be replaced by Connolly in what could be the only change to the XI that beat Steve Bruce's men.

Jordon Mutch has resumed full training after two months on the sidelines with a foot injury while Don Cowie (knee) is making good progress. Tommy Smith (hamstring) is still a couple of weeks away from a return to action.

Stephen McPhail played 90 minutes for the development side on Tuesday night and could come into the reckoning.