JOE'S GOT LEGS AND I KNOW WE CAN USE THEM

Bellamy's ready to risk 'old man' Allen after his squad is hit by midfield crisis

- NEIL MOXLEY

CRAIG BELLAMY weighing up whether to hand Joe Allen a fairy-tale return to international football.

Wales' new boss has been hit with a dilemma at the heart of the Red Dragons midfield and may throw the 34-year-old a lifeline.

Bellamy was already without Ethan Ampadu and Aaron Ramsey through injury and a caution for Jordan James in Iceland has left him short at the heart of his engine room.

Allen (left) was recalled into Wales' squad eight months after announcing his retirement and has only made six substitute appearances for Swansea this season.

But Bellamy recalled the former Liverpool midfielder in anticipation of such problems and says he has already had a positive impact on his squad.

He said: "He has got the legs.

But it's clear he hasn't been playing football. We know the minutes he has. We knew that from the start.

"It's just when you see a player like him in training and the habits he has, it allows players to be consistent around him. That's important.