Bellamy fit for the start of the season

The 22-year-old Welsh international flew to the United States for keyhole surgery performed by top specialist Richard Steadman, the man who a year ago saved the career of Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer.

Like his frontline partner, Bellamy had been suffering tendinitis and the Colorado clinic of Steadman, who also carried out a minor knee operation on United striker Carl Cort last December, was once again the first port of call.

A United source said: "This is the correct course of action. We have been assured he will be fully fit for the new season.

"We have had it sorted out once and for all rather than take any chances by waiting until the beginning of the season and then find out there is still a problem.''

Bellamy now has 14 weeks in which to recover and be ready for the first leg of United's Champions' League third qualifying round tie on August 14.

He has made only one substitute appearance - in the closing stages at Blackburn a fortnight ago - in ten weeks since his last start in the derby victory at Sunderland.

The 15-goal front-runner, a huge success since his £6m arrival from Coventry last summer, had been straining at the leash to return to action but suffered a reaction to his injury after the Blackburn game. It proved a justification of manager Bobby Robson's decision to keep him in reserve and resist his pleas for a run-out.

In an act of petulance, Bellamy had stormed down the tunnel at St. James' Park during the previous game against Charlton when Robson refused to bring him on in the second half.

Meanwhile, Shearer is yearning for a "third-time-lucky" chance to pit his wits against Europe's best in the Champions' League.

The former England captain was frustrated on his only appearance to date in European football's premier competition when Blackburn were drawn against lesser lights in their Champions' League group.

Then, after Newcastle had qualified as Premiership runners-up in his first season with the club, Shearer suffered a serious ankle injury and missed the whole of their Champions' League campaign.

"Playing in the Champions' League - don't forget we still have to get through the qualifying round - is a major bonus for any footballer,'' said Shearer.

"But for me, I hope this will be a case of third-time-lucky.

"When we won the Premier League at Blackburn in 1995, we were eagerly awaiting the draw, hoping we would get the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

"But we ended up with Spartak Moscow, Legia Warsaw and Rosenborg. We were also eliminated, although I did get a goal when we beat Rosenborg at Ewood Park.

"I did my bit to help Newcastle into the Champions' League five years ago.

"But then, when we did draw Barcelona, I was out injured, so I haven't yet kicked a ball for Newcastle in the top European tournament. I didn't even travel abroad with the lads because I was doing rehabilitation work. Now, fingers crossed, all that is about to change."

Shearer, however, who quit the international game after Euro 2000, is looking forward to his first summer off for 12 years.

Newcastle have been the beneficiaries of Shearer's shrewd decision to kick England into touch.

The 31-year-old striker has enjoyed a vintage season in hitting 26 goals, all but four of which helped United to a fourth-place Premiership finish and Champions' League qualification.

Shearer explained: "It's going to be my first complete summer holiday since I was 20. That's honest - every summer has been taken up with England games apart from last year.

"And, when I thought I was going to have a break then, I ended up having to get fit from injury.

"But I am definitely feeling the benefits of not playing for England anymore and I think my decision to retire from international football has been vindicated by my form and goals for Newcastle.

"I've had 14 operations - three of them on career-threatening injuries - and my body told me I couldn't carry on playing for England. Our summer holidays are firmly booked!

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