Football: BELL RINGS A HAPPY TOON

IF Craig Bellamy was English, he would have been at the World Cup this summer.

Now Newcastle's Welsh striker is looking forward to the most exciting season of his burgeoning career.

Bellamy scored 14 times last season, enough to bring him to the attention of Sven Goran Eriksson.

"Sven was speaking to Bobby Robson and said I would have been in his squad for the World Cup," said Bellamy.

"Looking at the England squad, personally I believe I am better than some players that went to the World Cup."

In an interview on HTV Wales, to be screened today, he set his sights on continuing his progress and shooting Newcastle - who are in the qualifying stages of the Champions League - to success in the process.

"I am more excited about this season than I have ever been over any season in my career," said Bellamy.

"This season is where I am going to stamp my authority as a top player in the Premiership.

"Hopefully, we can nail that Champions League place and that would be a massive step for me as a player.

"We have a quality side at Newcastle and a lot of young players, which is great as we are all at the same age and a great team spirit."

Bellamy is not worried by any opponent - even Manchester United's new pounds 30million man Rio Ferdinand.

"I fear no one in the Premiership," he said. "Everyone is talking about Rio but last season we put seven goals past Leeds - I scored two and set up three.

"I have no worries playing against anybody. William Gallas of Chelsea did a a man-to-man on me last season and he stood up well against me.

"I am surprised he didn't make the French team. This season he is a player I am looking forward to playing against."

Bellamy won the PFA Young Player of the Year award last season and has his sights set on the senior prize.

"It was a massive award and I am following in the footsteps of people like Ryan Giggs - everyone is aware what he was like as a young player," said Bellamy.

"When I got the award I looked at the list of players on it and the careers that they have gone on to have. It is exciting to know in a few years' time someone will collect the trophy and see my name on it. My main aim now is to win the main trophy."

Bellamy is well ahead of schedule to recover from the knee injury which curtailed last season for him.

And he is looking forward to playing alongside Alan Shearer and under Sir Bobby Robson.

"He has been the biggest influence in my football career," said Bellamy of Newcastle's veteran manager.

"He treats me well, he won't like this but he is more like a grandfather. He is so relaxed and you can have a laugh. He is a manager who doesn't get into a rage when things are going wrong.

"If I am not involved in the game he tells me to drop deep to pick the ball up and start to dictate the game. I am not a player who likes to stay up front and wait for the ball to come to me.

"Basically he gives me licence to wander, which for me as a player is great as I can be involved wherever the ball is."

But Bellamy refuses to say he will live as a hermit to avoid the lurid headlines which have accompanied him off the pitch.

"I am young, I still like to go out and enjoy myself and you cannot always be in the right place at the right time," he said.

"There are people who like you and people who don't like you but there are always ways to handle it. What do you do, not go out at all? I am only 22 years old.

"I like to break away and enjoy my life and sometimes it gets blown out of proportion."

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