Injury blow for Wales' Hennessy

Cyprus v Wales
Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia
Saturday, 13 October
Kick-off: 1715 BST
Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales & the BBC Sport website

Wayne Hennessy has been forced to withdraw from the Wales squad after injuring his hip at the weekend.

The Wolves keeper, 20, picked up the injury against Coventry and will now miss Wales' two Euro 2008 qualifying games against Cyprus and San Marino.

But there is some good news for coach John Toshack with the news that Craig Bellamy could be fit to play.

It was feared the West Ham striker, 28, would miss out on the 13 and 17 October matches after having groin surgery.

But the specialist who operated on Bellamy, Dr Ulrike Muschaweck, says he has a good chance of being fit in time.

Another injured Welsh keeper, Danny Coyne, is rated as 50/50 to figure for the games because of a calf injury.

The Tranmere stopper will be seen by Wales' medical team on Monday and a decision on his availability is likely to be made by the evening.

That leaves Lewis Price as the main contender to start in goal, but he has not played in Derby County's first team this season.

While the injury to Hennessy is a blow for Toshack, the good news for the 20-year-old is that it is not that serious.

"We took Wayne off to hospital as a precaution and were pleased to be told that nothing was broken," physio Barry Holmes told the Wolverhampton Wanderers website.

"His hip and pelvis are very sore though, so he hasn't joined up with Wales.

"We are hoping it settle down quickly and that during the two week break we can get him fit for the Charlton game."

At least the news on Bellamy is more encouraging for Wales boss John Toshack.

"If Craig Bellamy can start training then he can join this game, but if there is some pain he should wait," Muschaweck said.

The Munich-based doctor, speaking on BBC Radio Wales' The Back Page programme, said that Bellamy's problem had not been as serious as first feared.

Instead of a hernia operation, which would have required a lengthier period of rehabilitation, the Wales captain was treated for what Muschaweck terms "a sportsmen's groin" problem.

The surgery required for such a problem is far less invasive and an athlete can be up and running within seven days, although a rehabilitation time of eight to 12 days is more common.

That means if Bellamy heals well he has a good chance of spear-heading Wales' attack in the back-to-back Euro matches.

Wales face Cyprus in Nicosia on 13 October and San Marino in Serravalle four days later.

Muschaweck is the surgeon who operated on Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen last week for the same problem.

Owen's prognosis should be as encouraging for England boss Steve McClaren as Bellamy's is for Toshack.

Source: BBC Sport