Craig Bellamy may still join Wales squad despite omission
Chris Coleman has left the door open for Craig Bellamy to still be added to the Wales squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers after initially omitting the Cardiff City forward.
Bellamy was not among the 21-man group announced on Friday but Coleman has left two places open for the matches against Scotland and Croatia. One of those could be taken by Bellamy and Coleman is expecting to hear from the 33-year-old about his availability after Cardiff's trip to Ipswich Town in the Championship this weekend.
Bellamy missed Wales' opening two Group A matches after suffering a calf injury but he has started Cardiff's last three matches and scored the opening goal in their 2-1 victory over Birmingham on Tuesday before being substituted later on.
Coleman said of the 70-cap striker: "Players like Craig don't come along all the time. We need to know from Craig whether he is staying with us or whether he isn't. If he is not, we have to move forward."
Without Bellamy, Wales suffered a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in their opening qualifier last month before being thrashed 6-1 in Serbia.
Coleman also confirmed that Ashley Williams has replaced Aaron Ramsey as captain. "We needed to make some changes," the manager said. "I spoke to Aaron yesterday about it, and he was incredibly mature.
"I was very impressed with him. It was a very professional reaction. Of course he is disappointed, but Aaron was great about it, he really was. Ashley will be the skipper. He is a natural leader. He has experience."
Wales play Scotland in Cardiff next Friday before facing Croatia in Osijek four days later.