Osian Roberts hopes Craig Bellamy will not play his last game for his country in next week's Gary Speed Memorial Match against Costa Rica.
Wales coach keen for striker to continue playing his part
Wales coach Osian Roberts is hoping Craig Bellamy will not play his last game for his country in next week's Gary Speed Memorial Match against Costa Rica.
The Liverpool striker is understood to be considering ending his international career following next week's clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Bellamy was particularly close to Speed and had been convinced to prolong his Wales career by the late manager.
Roberts has revealed Bellamy has had 'good discussions' with head coach Chris Coleman and he hopes the 32-year-old will play a part in their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Discussions
"I hope it's not his last game," Roberts said of Bellamy. "There has been no indication that it will be. He has had good discussions with Chris, which hopefully is positive.
"We have to manage his physical state with all the injuries he has had, but the form he has been in has been fantastic and it's imperative that he is in the team and around the squad. He is extremely influential off the pitch and in the dressing room.
"The players all look up to him, he is the ultimate professional. He looks after every detail, he trains like he plays - with great intensity which is why you have to manage his workload. But he sets the standard and the players round him raise the bar because he is a great example to any young player and it rubs off on others.
"Craig has to make the right decision for himself and hopefully he has the goal, the same as ours, to get to Brazil in 2014."
