Barnsley preview

Last updated : 02 October 2010 By Michael Morris
Craig Bellamy has travelled to Yorkshire with the City squad ahead of today's clash with Barnsley.

This week Wales have announced that Bellamy will not be selected for the Euro 2012 double header against Bulgaria and Switzerland allowing him to regain full fitness after a knee problem.

Bellamy could though feature for Cardiff today as City look to consolidate 2nd place in the Championship.

Dave Jones believes Bellamy missing the Wales games is the right thing to do.

"It's the right decision. It's no good Craig doing what he's been doing and then being called in for the couple of games he was going to play," said Jones. "He's got a programme that he has to adhere to. It's the best thing.

"Hopefully we can get him right, get him ready for the rest of the season and the rest of the competitive games Wales will have. Playing the two games in such a short space of time would have been too much for him at this stage of his progress."

There will be those Welsh fans who will be up in arms if Bellamy plays today for City but misses the Welsh games. I'm sure the club will defend that saying it's part of his rehabilitaion to get some game time under his belt but not two international matches in four days.

Danny Drinkwater (thigh) and Michael Chopra (ankle) are also both targeting the October 16 derby against Bristol City for their respective comebacks.

Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana made his return in Tuesday's goalless draw against Crystal Palace, while Jones will check on the availability of Stephen McPhail after he missed the stalemate with a back strain.

Barnsley duo Jay McEveley and Garry O'Connor could both return to the squad for the home clash with Cardiff.

McEveley missed the midweek draw at Scunthorpe due to a bruised foot and striker O'Connor, on loan from Birmingham, was sidelined despite having an injection to aid his recovery from a groin strain.

Defender Bobby Hassell is expected to shake off a knock that forced him off at Scunthorpe but if he fails to make it Keiran Trippier could step in.

Goran Lovre, Jacob Butterfield, Luke Potter and Andy Gray all returned to the starting line-up in midweek and manager Mark Robins must decide whether to stick with them or recall recent loan signing Chris Wood and midfielder Hugo Colace.