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Page last updated at 22:32 GMT, Wednesday, 11 August 2010 23:32 UK

Boss John Toshack praises captain Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy missed Wales' last five friendly matches

Manager John Toshack praised captain Craig Bellamy for his part in Wales' 5-1 friendly win over Luxembourg.

Bellamy scored one and played a part in three of the other goals as Wales secured their first win since November.

David Cotterill, Andy King and Ashley Williams all scored first senior goals, with Joe Ledley hitting a penalty.

"Bellars maybe needed the first 45 minutes to get going, but the second half he opened up and he caused them all sorts of problems," said Toshack.

Striker Bellamy hinted in build-up to the game that he could quit football if he fails to make club team Manchester City's 25-man squad for this season.

And the 31-year-old's City future looked more uncertain ahead of kick-off when he was left out of City's Europa League squad to face Timisoara next week.

But he showed in display against Luxembourg, particularly when Wales switched from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 the break, that he still has a key role to play for his country.

"He hogged the headlines on the day of an international match and it was all about Craig Bellamy," said Toshack.

"He hasn't played this season, he's not had matches and he was keen, busy and wanting to perform and suffered a little bit first half.

"But after the break, once we made the changes, and pushed him a bit further forward and had the three lads in the midfield... we looked a decent outfit."

Toshack also praised Swansea's Cotterill, Leicester's Andy King and Blackpool's David Vaughan.

But he reserved most of his praise for debutant striker Steve Morison, who he hinted could be on the plane to Montenegro for the opening Euro 2012 Championships qualifying match on 3 September.

"We've had a few false dawns here over the years," added Toshack. "The number nine has been a big, big problem for us.

"Although he didn't score this evening, his presence was important while the others flitted around him and he can be pleased with his debut.

"The fact that Steve Morison has come in today is one of the most positive things of all."



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see also
Wales 5-1 Luxembourg
11 Aug 10 |  Welsh
Bellamy overlooked for Europa tie
11 Aug 10 |  Man City
I could quit football - Bellamy
10 Aug 10 |  Man City
Pick your Wales XI
05 Feb 07 |  Welsh
Welsh football history
25 Mar 10 |  Welsh
Wales' international fixtures
22 Aug 07 |  Welsh
Wales' results archive
10 Oct 05 |  Welsh
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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