Bellamy: I can't afford to break down

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The Wales skipper has been forced out of the two World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan on Saturday in Cardiff and next Wednesday away to Russia in Moscow.

"I have to be fully fit, I cannot risk breaking down again," he said.

Bellamy worked hard to recover from a stomach muscle operation in the summer, and then was hit by a hamstring injury during a pre-season friendly at Ipswich.

He made his return for the Hammers last Saturday, with a 20-minute run out and a fine goal against Blackburn.

"Me, West Ham and Wales all discussed what was the best thing to do," he continued.

"It was agreed that it would be best for me to stay behind at West Ham to continue my recovery from the hamstring injury.

"We all shared the same view that I stayed behind for more treatment.

"The hamstring was a little tight on Saturday and that was why I only played for 20 minutes. It still felt tight after the match."

He added: "So after working so hard during the summer to get fit, I did not want to risk breaking down again because I'd come back and done too much too soon."