Euro 2008/Wales v Cyprus: Craig Bellamy has delivered a ringing endorsement of Gary Speed, despite John Toshack's insistence he will not be asking the Bolton Wanderers midfielder to step out of international retirement.
"He is probably the best professional I have ever worked with," said Wales' stand-in captain. "I know how much he looks after himself and he has been an unbelievable professional."
Speed has reportedly said he would consider a return to international football, but manager Toshack has stressed that the only player who has contacted him about a possible recall is John Hartson.
Bellamy, though, has been in regular touch with Speed and received a text message from him straight after Saturday's 5-1 defeat at home to Slovakia.
"It said 'I know how you feel'," added Bellamy. "I speak to him quite a lot. I know what he is thinking but I won't be telling you (the media). Working with him has helped me as I tried to follow what he has done. I stand where I am today because of the experience of being with him."
Bellamy stopped short, however, of recommending Speed's return. "I don't get involved in selection," he said, with Toshack having made it clear he has no intention of looking to past players despite Saturday's embarrassment.
The ineffectual strike partnership of Bellamy and Robert Earnshaw has also come under scrutiny with Wigan Athletic's David Cotterill pushing for a place in the team tonight.
Left-back Gareth Bale is the only Welshman to have scored in Wales' last four internationals - an own goal against the Czech Republic.
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