CRAIG Bellamy will link up with the Wales squad today after Sir Bobby Robson lost his power battle with Mark Hughes.

Hughes will have Bellamy available for Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier in Finland after the Newcastle United striker was grudgingly given permission to travel by Robson following a day of talks between the Magpies manager and the Wales coach.

Robson was adamant on Monday that Bellamy, who has made just two substitute appearances in six months after suffering a knee injury, would not figure in Wales' plans this weekend.

But with FIFA law backing Hughes, Robson gave the 23-year-old a run-out in last night's reserve team game with Blackburn Rovers in Morecambe before letting him head south ahead of tomorrow's flight to Helsinki from Heathrow.

Robson claimed after the 2-2 draw with Liverpool that he and his chairman Freddy Shepherd would go "absolutely ballistic" if Bellamy were injured on international duty.

He prevented the PFA Young Player of the Year from leaving Anfield on Monday night in a Football Association of Wales car that took Gary Speed to the team hotel.

But with Bellamy not technically injured, and just lacking actual match fitness, Robson had no option but to bow to Hughes's demands.

Wales had the option of having Bellamy inspected by their doctors had Newcastle proved intransigent, but a compromise was reached before that avenue was explored.

Hughes could also have demanded Bellamy's arrival in the Wales camp by midnight last night, but he backed down and acceded to Robson's request that the striker play for the reserves to build up his fitness.

An FAW spokesman said: "Talks between ourselves and Newcastle are ongoing and we've been trying to get it sorted out.

"If Craig comes down in time to meet up with the rest of the squad before they fly out, that would be fine."

Hughes's stubborn refusal to allow Bellamy to miss the game with Finland, Wales' first in their European Championship qualifying campaign, underlines his determination to continue the country's recent renaissance that included a victory over Germany in May.

Bellamy, who has scored four goals in 16 internationals, is an integral part of the Wales team - even though he is patently short of full fitness.

Lauren Robert joined Bellamy in continuing their comeback from injury as Newcastle reserves won 4-0 at Blackburn last night.

Bellamy played for 55 minutes, while Robert came off just after the hour as United cruised to a comfortable victory.

Another player coming back from injury, Carl Cort, headed United in front after 23 minutes.

United enjoyed plenty of possession in the remainder of the first period and Bellamy made way for Chopra ten minutes after the restart in a pre-arranged substitution.

Bradley Orr, who replaced Robert on 53 minutes, doubled the lead four minutes after coming on when he side footed in after good work from Cort.

Robbie Elliott made it 3-0 with a curling free kick from the edge of the box and the impressive Chopra wrapped up the points three minutes from time when he slotted the ball through the legs of ex-Middlesbrough goalkeeper Alan Miller.

Newcastle: Harper, Griffin, Elliott, O'Brien (Taylor 80), Caldwell, Bassedas, Gavilan, McClen, Cort, Bellamy (Chopra 55), Robert (Orr 62). Subs (not used): Collin, Brennan.

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