Wales manager excited at possible Craig Bellamy Liverpool return

Bellamy spent last season on loan at Cardiff (GETTY IMAGES)

Wales manager Gary Speed has welcomed reports linking striker Craig Bellamy with a return to Liverpool.

The 32-year-old appears surplus to requirements at Manchester City after being frozen out of manager Roberto Mancini's plans.

Reports claim Bellamy, who spent last season on loan at Cardiff, is being considered by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish as back-up to first-choice strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Bellamy spent the 2006-07 season with Liverpool before moving to West Ham and then City, where he fell out of favour after Mancini replaced Mark Hughes as boss two years ago.

Speed said: "It is only natural Craig is going to be linked with top clubs because he is a top player.

"Liverpool are a fantastic club and if that is true and it comes off, that would be great.

"Hopefully by the end of the transfer window things will be sorted out."

Speed today named Bellamy in his squad for September's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Montenegro and England.

The squad shows few changes from the one initially selected for the Australia friendly earlier this month.

Striker Simon Church returns while fellow forwards Ched Evans and Sam Vokes are left out.

That pair, however, have been included on a nine-man standby list in case of withdrawals.

Aston Villa defender James Collins and Norwich midfielder Andrew Crofts, who withdrew last time, are again included.

Star players Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale also feature.