In the clear over Bellamy

CITY will not lose Craig Bellamy for Saturday's Premier League opener after they defused a potential row with the Welsh FA.

The Blues failed to notify Wales that the striker - skipper of his national team - had suffered a reaction to a long-standing knee injury during the friendly match with Celtic at the weekend.

The problem meant he was unfit to travel with the rest of the national squad for Wednesday's friendly with Montenegro, but Wales were not informed.

Wales boss John Toshack was said to be privately seething at the error, and the country's FA could have caused City a problem by reporting them to Fifa.

Under the world governing body's regulations, Bellamy (left) could have been forced to sit out a five-day suspension from Wednesday - which would have been the date of his release from international duty - and City could have been fined.

>>MEN.

Good to see the MEN doing a little digging on this 'story' whilst some of the nationals were quick to wade in with the 'Bellamy storm' angle.

That's not to say the club are faultless though, and whilst it may have been a simple error on the clubs part, you do wish they would have been professional enough to ensure something like this doesn't occur.

After all, it wouldn't be too difficult would it?

"Hello, is that the FAW?"

"Yes."

"Ok, it's Manchester City here. Just to let you know Craig can't make it this week. His knee is a bit knacked".

"Ok, thanks for letting us know."

Easy.