John Toshack casts doubt over Craig Bellamy's future

Ballamy has scored 17 goals in 58 appearances for his country

Manager John Toshack has refused to confirm whether Wales captain Craig Bellamy will play a part in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

The injury-prone Manchester City striker, 30, will miss Wednesday's friendly with Sweden in Swansea.

But Toshack would not speculate on a fit Bellamy's chances of playing when the campaign starts.

"I can't answer who will be playing in September or who will be fit," he said when asked on the 30-year-old's future.

Capped 58 times by his country, Bellamy was named captain in 2007 following the retirement of Ryan Giggs, but he has only led his side out in 10 of the 27 games played since.

The 17-goal striker has suffered with recurring knee problem though which has caused him to miss games.

Last August, a row broke out when Bellamy failed to report for Wales' friendly against Montenegro after Man City admitted they failed to inform Toshack he was not fit.

But Toshack refused to be drawn on whether Bellamy still had a big part to play in his plans.

"Well we don't know," he said. "He's played five of the last 12 competitive games and missed the last three friendlies, so that's 10 out of 15 that he's missed.

Toshack cool on Bellamy future

"For our friendly against Montenegro the player and his manager, at the time, were concerned they may not be able to play in friendly matches for Wales because of a condition that has been well documented.

"They were at pains to say he might have to miss them - so that is what he is doing.

"If that is the case we felt we would just take this opportunity - we have young forward players that need to push on."

Toshack wants the likes of Sam Vokes, Ched Evans and Simon Church who have all come through to the senior side from the Under-21s to gain more experience as he prepares for the future.

"We will take the opportunity to give them more international matches, so that by the time the next competition comes around we will be in a better position and have more competition for places," he added.

"If we do get these injury problems we are accustomed to, we will have a better idea how to confront them.

"The more people we have got competing for places, the better we will be."

Bellamy last played for Wales in October in their 2-1 World Cup qualifier defeat to Finland in Helsinki, ensuring they could only finish fourth in their group.

Wales begin their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in September where they will come up against England, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro in Group G.