No Bellamy for Wales in Sweden clash

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CARDIFF, Feb 26, 2010 (AFP) - Wales have left Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy out of their squad for next week's friendly against Sweden in Swansea.

The Manchester City striker is fit again after a recent knee injury but manager John Toshack appears to have sidestepped a club-versus-country row by leaving the 30-year-old out of his 22-man squad.

City are chasing a place in next season's Champions League and have crucial matches against Chelsea and Tottenham either side of the international friendly.

In Bellamy's absence, Sheffield United's Ched Evans is likely to partner Simon Church of Reading in attack as Wales look to build on their 3-0 win over Scotland in their last outing, in November.

Swansea's Ashley Williams, on home turf at the Liberty Stadium, and James Collins of Aston Villa are favourites to captain the team in the absence of Bella.

Toshack's squad has a youthful look, with the likes of Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, West Ham's Jack Collison and Gareth Bale of Tottenham included, but there is also a recall for Fulham's Simon Davies.

The 30-year-old midfielder has not featured since back-to-back World Cup qualifying defeats to Germany and Finland a year ago.

West Ham's Danny Gabbidon misses out with a hamstring injury.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull)

Defenders: Gareth Bale (Tottenham), James Collins (Aston Villa), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Craig Morgan (Peterborough), Lewin Nyatanga (Bristol), Sam Ricketts (Bolton), Ashley Williams (Swansea)

Midfielders: Jack Collison (West Ham), Andrew Crofts (Brighton), Simon Davies (Fulham), Andy Dorman (St Mirren), Andy King (Leicester), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), David Vaughan (Blackpool)

Forwards: Simon Church (Reading), David Cotterill (Swansea), Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Sam Vokes (Wolves)

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