Wales keeping close tabs on Bellamy trip with Man City

Wales are keeping a close watch on Craig Bellamy's trip to Abu Dhabi with Manchester City.

The national team captain has withdrawn from the squad to play Scotland at Cardiff City's new stadium on Saturday with a groin injury.

But he has flown with the City squad to the Middle East to continue his treatment with the club's medical staff on the trip.

Wales do not expect Bellamy to play in Thursday's friendly against the UAE, and their attitude could change quickly if the Cardiff-born striker is involved in the match.

Toshack explained the Welsh view on the subject, saying: "We saw that after his last game for us (in Finland), when he came back he had picked up an injury and missed the next Manchester City game.

"Now he has played the full 90 minutes for City last Saturday and after the match their doctor was straight on the phone to our medical people saying that Craig had complained of a groin injury towards the end of the game.

"But the match was at such a point that he stayed on, finished the game and a decision was made that they would have a look at him yesterday morning.

"Apparently their doctor has talked to our doc again, and they have both agreed he would be very doubtful for this game with Scotland.

"It was better that he stayed with the Manchester City people to get his treatment and recover properly. Now he has gone off with City to Abu Dhabi, which makes sense if their medical people have also gone out there.

"He will get the necessary treatment while he is with them. And there is not much we can do about that."