Bellamy absent without leave

Craig Bellamy is out of the Wales friendly in Montenegro on Wednesday, and the Football Association of Wales are not sure why.

The Manchester City player was due to arrive at the team hotel in Cardiff last night, and the FAW had no contact with the player or club. This morning manager John Toshack and his squad left for Cardiff airport without their captain.

An FAW spokesman said: "The player and club were notified about the game some while ago, but on Sunday night we had not heard from either the player or the club. The same applies to this morning, we just hope the player is all right."

City boss Mark Hughes said last week that he was unhappy that Bellamy was in the Wales squad for Wednesday's match in Podgorica, claiming that his recovery from a knee injury was not complete and he could not handle three games in a week.

Bellamy played against Celtic on Saturday and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory at Eastlands.

Bellamy has not played for his country since the February 1-0 defeat by Poland. He was unfit for the March games against Finland and Germany.

This is another blow to hit Wales this weekend, with Carl Fletcher announcing his retirement from international football, and Wolves midfielder David Edwards pulling out with a groin injury.

Cardiff's Joe Ledley, who has suffered from sickness this weekend and came off at half-time in the Bluebird's 4-0 victory over Scunthorpe on Saturday, is fit to travel.

Brian Flynn, manager of the under-21s, has lost two players from his squad to face Hungary in a UEFA championship clash at Wrexham on Wednesday.

Swansea midfielder Allen is out with a hamstring injury, and Chelsea have withdrawn 'keeper Rhys Taylor.

Flynn has called-up Swansea's David Cornell, the under-17s 'keeper, as well as Cardiff defender Adam Matthews, who has won under-19 caps.