Thursday, 10 May 2012

Coleman Includes Bellamy for NYC


Wales manager Chris Coleman has named Craig Bellamy in a 23-man squad to play Mexico in New York on 27 May.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey will miss out with a torn cruciate ligament, but Liverpool striker Bellamy - whose continued participation with Wales had been in question - will make the trip.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, who could feature in the GB Olympic team, are also selected.

Bellamy is also in a provisional 80-man squad for the London Games.

Coleman hopes the 32-year-old will prolong his international career to play in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which begin in September.

"I've included him in my squad. I wouldn't have included him if I didn't think he wanted to continue with us [Wales]," said Coleman.

"If Craig wants to make a statement about what he intends to do maybe that will quash all the rumours.

"But he is very, very much a part of us going forward about this next campaign and we will have a better chance of doing something special with Craig rather than without him.

"Until he tells me otherwise I'm going to continue to pick him."

Missing out on selection are striker Rob Earnshaw, and defenders Danny Gabbidon and James Collins.

But Coleman insisted the trio are still in his plans for the qualifying campaign.

"James Collins has lost his place with Ashley Williams really being really the mainstay and Darcy Blake has done well at international level," explained Coleman.

"They haven't done anything wrong there. James has had a long hard season, he has had a few niggles.

"I know all about James. I'm not going to learn anything from James. I'm not going to learn anything from Danny or Robert in this game.

"I may learn other things from players I don't know so well. I spoke to Robbie and Danny and they are fine.

"It's not me burning bridges with these experienced players. On the contrary - they are very much part of our make-up and squad going forward."

West Ham United midfielder Jack Collison has been left out as Coleman wants to give him a rest after playing more than 30 games this season, a decision the manager said he made before he was injured.

Collison dislocated his shoulder as the Hammers beat Cardiff to reach the Championship play-off final, but West Ham are hopeful he will be available for the final on 19 May.

Neal Eardley of Blackpool will be part of that final with Blackpool. He has been named in Coleman's squad but it unlikely to make the trip to New York.

The only new face in the squad is Chelsea goalkeeper Rhys Taylor.

Wales' friendly with Mexico at MetLife Stadium is effectively Coleman's first proper game in charge.

He was appointed before the 1-0 defeat by Costa Rica in February, a match to honour former manager Gary Speed.

Coleman decided to take a back seat for that match, with assistant Osian Roberts in charge, as Wales paid its respects to Speed on an emotional night in Cardiff.

Wales squad: Jason Brown (Aberdeen), Lewis Price (Crystal Palace), Rhys Taylor (Chelsea), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Sam Ricketts (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Adam Matthews (Celtic), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Darcy Blake (Cardiff City), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Andrew Crofts (Norwich City), David Vaughan (Sunderland), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Andy King (Leicester City), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Steve Morison (Norwich City), Simon Church (Reading), Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Stand-by players: Owain Fon Williams (Tranmere Rovers), Adam Henley (Blackburn Rovers), Rhoys Wiggins (Charlton Athletic), Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), David Cotterill (Barnsley - released), 

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