Morison - Bellamy is a boost

Craig Bellamy: Wales team-mate Steve Morison was delighted that Craig Bellamy has decided to continue to play for the national side

Steve Morison was delighted with the news that Craig Bellamy has decided to extend his international career with Wales.

The Liverpool striker had hinted that he was considering retiring from the national set-up following the death of close friend and late Wales manager Gary Speed back in November.

It was expected that the 32-year-old would step down following February's defeat to Costa Rica - a game staged in Speed's memory.

However, current boss Chris Coleman was hopeful the 68-cap forward would continue his international duties and be a driving force for the country's bid to reach Brazil in 2014 - a feat which Morison also believes team-mate Bellamy can achieve.

"Craig wants to get to the World Cup more than anybody, especially because Gary Speed was a good friend of his," said the Norwich City striker.

"He feels he still has something to prove and has a lot to offer. He is good around the other players and he wants to reach Brazil as much as the rest of the squad.

Quality player

"I can't see him retiring from Wales any time soon. Long may that continue.

"He is still a quality player. I have trained and played with him as well as against him in the Premier League. He's a great player and I'm glad he is here."

Sunday's friendly against Mexico in New York will effectively be Coleman's first in charge and Morison has high hopes for the new boss with everybody's goal being Brazil in two years' time.

"Our plan is to qualify for the World Cup," he said.

"That is what Gary Speed put in place when he first came in.

Nucleus

"The aim was Brazil and he went a hell of a long way to putting us on the right path.

"We have put something in place and the nucleus of that is still here apart from the person in charge.

"Hopefully Chris Coleman can carry it on and we keep going in the right direction.

"The way we have performed in the last year has been fantastic. If we can carry that on we will be a match for anybody. Sunday is another step towards our goal."