NEWCASTLE United are on collision course with Wales after pulling Craig Bellamy out of next week's Euro 2004 qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Sir Bobby Robson has informed the Welsh FA that Bellamy, two-goal match-winner in Wednesday's Champions League victory over Feyenoord, cannot play more than one game a week.

Specialist Richard Steadman, who operated on Bellamy's knee in May, has devised a strict fitness programme for the striker after he suffered renewed problems.

It means Bellamy misses tomorrow's home game with Southampton. But Robson wants his £6m signing available for the visit to Manchester United next weekend, three days after the Wales game.

Bellamy scored the winner for his country against Italy in their last Euro 2004 match, but Robson said: "We have warned them there will have to be dialogue. We must make it as amicable as possible.

"Craig is valuable to us and we have played ball with the surgeon. Craig took ten days off so it was not a risk playing him against Feyenoord.

"The club decision is that we insist he stays out of the Wales game. We have not asked Craig, we have told him.

"We have informed the Welsh he can only play one game a week for the time being. I haven't spoken to Mark Hughes, but we need to talk sensibly and intelligently."

Bellamy has hit out at those who wrote him off as a "one-season wonder''.

Bellamy registered his first goals in the Champions League on his comeback after over three weeks out with a recurrence of tendinitis.

Bellamy, 23, underwent keyhole surgery in America at the end of last season - the fifth knee operation of his career.

But he is adamant that the double Dutch treat he served up at De Kuip is sufficient to silence the doubters.

"Some people have called me a one-season wonder - but I don't think so," he said. "I'm too good a player to be called that.

"It's been up and down for me. I've had five knee ops, and been relegated with Coventry.

"You don't come back from that if you're not a good player. I have proved I am.''

Bellamy, who was banned for the previous three Champions League games for head-butting, also missed the two qualifying clashes with Zeljeznicar while recovering from his operation.

He said: "The goal at the end against Feyenoord was vital for a lot of reasons. Financially, it's good for me because I did not receive a penny when we got into the Champions League. I wasn't in the team that got us there.

"This now gives us the chance to play the really big games. I want to play against the great sides.

"It's been an up and down campaign and people have criticised us, but we'd never played in this competition before.

"You don't get through with luck. There are too many good teams for that. We're through because we're a good side, too.

"When we were pulled back to 2-2 by Feyenoord, part of me was thinking about holding on for the UEFA Cup spot.

"But we never know when we're beaten and this is something special - and we will have more great nights now. This is the stage I need to play on because I really will improve. I'm at a great club and can achieve everything I want here."

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