Wales face Bellamy injury absence

Last updated : 29 September 2010 By BBC Sport

The striker has been out for three weeks with a continuation of the knee problems that have dogged his career.

"All the hard work we've put in, it would not be the best to then go and play two [Wales] games," Jones said

"If we can get him up and running great but it might have to wait until after the international week."

Wales face Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium on 8 October, followed by Switzerland in Basel four days later.

Having already lost their opening Group G game 1-0 away to supposed minnows Montenegro, Wales cannot afford to slip up again if they are to keep their hopes alive.

That result in Podgorica saw John Toshack depart was Wales manager, with his assistant and Wales Under-21 coach Brian Flynn appointed as caretaker boss for at least these next two games.

Already without Premier League players such as Aaron Ramsey and and Jack Collison because of long-term injuries, the start to Flynn's Wales reign would be further hampered by the loss of captain Bellamy.

While it is the Wales medical staff and the player himself who will have the final say over fitness, Jones believes that the long-term views should be taken over the 31-year-old striker, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

"We've got him so far down the line now and he's looking really good, then it's pointless forcing the issue just to play the games and then be out another four or five games," Jones said.

"His career is [bigger than two Wales internationals], that's the most important thing for him is being able to play every week and to try and force him to play a couple of games... then it would be the wrong decision.

"But we're still a long way off that decision at this moment but I would think it would be a doubt if I'm being honest.

"I'm sure Craig will leave it as long as he can [before making a decision]."

Without Bellamy, Cardiff battled to a 2-1 win over Millwall last weekend to rise to second place in the Championship table and face Crystal Palace at home on Tuesday night before travelling to Barnsley on Saturday ahead of the break for international matches.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport