No truth in Bellamy rumours

Last updated : 13 November 2003 By Martyn Elliott

The Welshman and his agent had talks with Freddy Shepherd on his return from surgery in the USA, with the chairman apparently keen to make clear his dissatisfaction at the player’s behaviour during the recent club versus country row.

Neither side was prepared to comment after the meeting, but I can imagine that one of them left with a smug expression on his face having proved to himself who is the boss, while the other was sniggering like a schoolboy having had a slap on the wrists.

The upshot of the no-comment approach was newspapers writing that Bellamy will be allowed to leave in January if the club can recoup their initial £6million investment - presumably they’re all hoping that he has had a miracle recovery from his knee operation by then.

Anyway, BBC Radio 5Live has subsequently reported that club officials have told them that Bellamy will not be sold.