West Ham striker Craig Bellamy's return to first-team football has been delayed further after news that he needs more surgery on his abdominal injury.

The Wales international played in a friendly at the start of the month, but the club have now revealed that he needs to go under the knife again.

West Ham confirmed the news after Bellamy felt he was not 'quite right' after his come-back earlier in the month.

Hammers physio George Cooper remained buoyant about Bellamy's recovery.

"He has been absolutely brilliant," added Cooper. "Everything he has done has got him back to almost being ready and there is a feeling that if he carries on with slight symptoms they are likely to get worse rather than better. The symptoms have to go.

"The operation will complement the excellent work he has done before and that should be the last bit he needs before continuing his strengthening."