Bellamy to lead Wales attack after Cardiff switch

CARDIFF (AFP) – Craig Bellamy has been named in the Wales squad for their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro next month.

Bellamy made a surprise move to Championship team Cardiff this week after falling out of favour with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, but his drop down to English football’s second tier has had no affect on his status as Wales’ main striker.

The former Liverpool and Newcastle star, who will spend the season on loan with his hometown club, is joined in the Wales squad by defender Danny Gabbidon, who has not played a competitive match since April.

Gabbidon has been hampered by a succession of groin problems in recent seasons but the 30-year-old, who had surgery in the close-season, was on the bench for West Ham’s Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Wales manager John Toshack did not risk Gabbidon for last week’s friendly against Luxembourg but is confident he will be fit for the trip to Podgorica on September 3.

Gabbidon last played for his country in last November’s friendly victory over Scotland.

He is joined in Toshack’s 25-man squad by former West Ham team-mate James Collins, who has missed Wales’ last two outings.

The Aston Villa defender pulled out of the trip to Croatia in May to attend the birth of his child and did not feature in the 5-1 thrashing of Luxembourg in Llanelli due to a calf injury.

Toshack keeps faith with the 17 players on duty in last week’s convincing performance over Luxembourg, with Millwall striker Steve Morison retaining his place after impressing on his debut.

“The fact that Steve Morison has come in is one of the most positive things of all about the Luxembourg win,” Toshack said.

“Although he didn’t score, his presence was important while the others flitted around him and he can be pleased with his debut.

“He gave us a presence in attack that regarding the future was interesting.”

Wales squad to play Montenegro in Euro 2012 qualifier in Podgorica on September 3:

Goalkeepers: Jason Brown (Blackburn), Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (West Brom)

Defenders: Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Darcy Blake (Cardiff), James Collins (Aston Villa), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham), Chris Gunter (Nottm Forest), Craig Morgan (Preston), Sam Ricketts (Bolton), Ashley Williams (Swansea)

Midfielders: David Cotterill (Swansea), Andrew Crofts (Norwich), Andy Dorman (Crystal Palace), David Edwards (Wolves), Andy King (Leicester), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Brian Stock (Doncaster), David Vaughan (Blackpool)

Forwards: Craig Bellamy (Cardiff), Simon Church (Reading), Robert Earnshaw (Nottm Forest), Ched Evans (Sheff Utd), Steve Morison (Millwall).