Newcastle director of football Gordon Milne said on Friday that Bellamy will not be available for Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifier against Azerbaijan.

He said the club will rest their star striker this weekend, and Bellamy's next match will be Newcastle's clash with Manchester United the following Saturday.

Milne claimed the club is following medical advice that Bellamy's problematic knee can only cope with one game a week.

"As much as he (Bellamy) wants to play, we have to treat it gently at this stage," said Milne.

Under rules issued by Fifa, football's world governing body, clubs must release their players for international duty regardless of their fitness.

FAW secretary David Collins said the Wales medical staff will assess Bellamy's fitness before deciding if he should travel to Azerbaijan on Monday.

Newcastle say they have an "honest and professional relationship" with Wales manager Mark Hughes and expect Bellamy's long-term welfare to be taken into consideration.

Said Collins: "Mark Hughes has named his squad and we expect the squad members to turn up on Sunday, as they should under the Fifa rules.

"I'm sure Mark will be liaising with all the clubs and the players to make sure that happens."

According to reports from the capital Baku, a financial dispute was threatening to force the country's football association to switch the match to a much smaller stadium.

But having held discussions with the Azerbaijan FA and Uefa, the FAW say the game will definately go ahead as originally planned.