CRAIG Bellamy's next appearance on a football field could come in the red shirt of Wales after John Toshack named the controversial striker in his squad for next month's friendly with Hungary.

Bellamy was included in Toshack's first squad as Wales boss, despite making critical comments about the former Liverpool striker before he was named as Mark Hughes' successor in November.

With Bellamy having made a number of appearances for Wales on the right of midfield, Toshack refused to be drawn on where he would play the Newcastle star next month.

"I see him as a right-sided attacker," said Toshack. "When we are gathered together we will discuss things we have to discuss, other than that there is nothing I want to add.

"But I wouldn't not pick a player because of what he said or didn't say - I would pick him because of what he did on the pitch."

Despite Bellamy's likely exclusion from the United ranks for the foreseeable future, Toshack is expected to name the 25-year-old in his starting line-up for the game at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on February 9.

The likelihood of him still being a Newcastle player at that point strengthened yesterday, when the club received no formal approach for his services.

Seven Premiership sides are understood to have made an informal inquiry about his availability, with Blackburn hinting that they would like to sign a striker on loan in the next four days. However, with United officials insisting they will not let Bellamy leave on the cheap, none have developed that interest into a firm bid.

Liverpool were linked with a potential swoop yesterday morning, after receiving confirmation that Florent Sinama-Pongolle had become their third attacking player to be ruled out for the season.

With Djibril Cisse and Xabi Alonso already facing lengthy lay-offs, the Anfield side look short of firepower despite the recent acquisition of Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid.

But sources on Merseyside suggest Reds boss Rafael Benitez has been far from impressed by Bellamy's antics this week and will not be tempted into signing him this month.

Time is rapidly running out and, with the transfer window due to close at 5pm on Monday, anyone wanting to offer Bellamy an escape route will have to register their interest before close of play today.

That does not look like happening and Graeme Souness faces some tough decisions as he ponders what to do with Bellamy between now and the end of the season.

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