Bellamy makes peace with Wales

Bellamy's club, Manchester City, admitted that they forgot to tell Wales that the striker was injured and would not be available for Wednesday night's match, and Toshack flew to Podgorica with his squad on Monday without any idea what was wrong with Bellamy, and crucially not having had the opportunity to call up a replacement.

Toshack said: "Craig has been in touch with us at the team hotel. Manchester City's statement is self-explanatory. We have to accept that."

Bellamy phoned the team hotel, clearly upset with the situation and, it is understood, has made it clear that his track record of being available for his country is beyond reproach.

Bellamy is 'far from impressed' that his club failed to inform the FA of Wales that he was not going to make the trip.

And he feels that he has been 'hung out to dry' over the situation, having suffered a reaction to his knee problem after scoring the winner for City on Saturday in their friendly with Celtic at Eastlands.

Toshack was careful not to enflame an already difficult situation with Mark Hughes, his predecessor as Wales manager, and unconditionally accepted Bellamy's explanation.

The FAW are mindful that it was Bellamy's frantic calls to the team hotel here that defused a worrying situation.

One Wales source pointed out: "Can you imagine the uproar had this been John Terry not turning up for England, and Chelsea not telling the English FA before the team flew out for a match?"

Toshack named Cardiff's Joe Ledley as captain for Wednesday's game, and it is clear that Bellamy's position in the squad is not in question.