Bellamy boost, but Collins is out

Jan 28 2008 by Paul Abbandonato, Western Mail

THE good news for Wales and West Ham is that Craig Bellamy is back... the bad is the knee injury to James Collins which has ruled out the big centre-half for the rest of the season.

Wales boss John Toshack will have to do without Collins when he names his squad today for the friendly international with Norway on February 6.

Collins, 24, damaged knee ligaments in a West Ham reserve game on Wednesday.

But Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon each came through the match unscathed and should be picked in Toshack’s squad for the game against the Norwegians at Wrexham.

Bellamy was playing his first match in three months after an abdominal injury and is in contention for a return to West Ham’s squad for Wednesday's Premiership clash with his old club Liverpool.

Gabbidon was continuing his recovery after picking up another groin injury in December.

West Ham assistant manager Mervyn Day said, “Players always target the earliest game possible, so we have got to look at it properly and see whether Craig is actually fit enough to play any part against Liverpool.

“Certainly he is training well, but Craig has only literally played 87 minutes in a reserve match since the injury first struck ... so realistically it is going to be a big ask for him to be involved.

“However, who knows what the situation might be come Wednesday night.”

The news is not so good for Collins, though, who was hurt 30 minutes into last week’s reserve-team fixture against Portsmouth.

“It wasn't the best pitch in the world, but that had nothing to do with James’ injury,” said Day.

“Having seen it again on the video, it looks such an innocuous challenge. James has fallen awkwardly, the opponent has fallen on top of him and suddenly you are looking at some considerable time out of the picture.”

Collins had been back in the Hammers first-team reckoning, appearing as an unused substitute in the last three league outings.