Speed backs Bellamy to shine against Australia

Wales manager Gary Speed on Friday backed livewire striker Craig Bellamy to shine in Wednesday’s friendly against Australia despite the 32-year-old being out of favour with Manchester City.

Bellamy, who has 62 caps to his name, played for Cardiff on loan last season and had been expected to clinch a deal with Scottish giants Celtic for this campaign before the move collapsed.

  “He has been training. He hasn’t had many games at all, but he should be champing at the bit so hopefully that will be the case,” said Speed.

  “I would like his future to be sorted for his sake because I know how passionate he is about his football.

  “The quicker he gets settled then the better for everyone. I know him and I know how he works and he just wants to play football.”  Tottenham winger Gareth Bale is in line for a first international appearance since the 4-1 defeat to Switzerland last October.

  Wales squad to face Australia in a friendly international at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday, August 10: 

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton), Boaz Myhill (West Bromwich Albion) 

Defenders: Darcy Blake (Cardiff City), Danny Collins (Stoke City), James Collins (Aston Villa), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Danny Gabbidon (Queens Park Rangers), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Adam Matthews (Celtic), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Ashley Williams (Swansea City) 

Midfielders: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Jack Collison (West Ham), Andrew Crofts (Norwich City), Andy King (Leicester City), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), David Vaughan (Sunderland) 

Strikers: Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), Robert Earnshaw (Cardiff City), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Steve Morison (Norwich City), Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton)