Wales put faith in Bellamy

Craig Bellamy, Newcastle United's recent £6m recruit, is determined to reproduce his best club form when he pulls on the red shirt of Wales on Saturday in their World Cup qualifier with Belarus in Cardiff.

The belief that the veteran Bobby Robson will one day step down as Newcastle manager to allow Alan Shearer to take over the top job has also not been lost on Bellamy. "I just hope I can establish myself as a player and keep on Alan's right side. I don't think it's any secret that he's going to be a future manager. I want to stay there."

Wales, without the suspended Ryan Giggs on Saturday, hope that Bellamy's blistering form this term – he has already scored five goals and starred in the defeat of Manchester United – continues against Belarus to secure the country's first win in their final Group Five match.

Bellamy certainly could not be in a better frame of mind. "I've never been happier in football," he said. "It's where you want to be, what you dream of. I know I have a lot to learn and I'm nowhere near where I really want to be, but I'm on my way and I will give it all my best effort now. For club and country.

"I'd easily stay at Newcastle now for the rest of my life. If they came up to me next week and offered me a 15-year contract I would snap it up."