The injury-jinxed West Ham United striker appeared for the final 28 minutes
of the impressive 1-0 friendly win over Iceland in Reykjavik on Wednesday, earning his 50th cap.
Captain Bellamy now seems certain to be back leading his country in a much
more difficult match in Rotterdam against Euro 2008-bound Holland on Sunday.
Bellamy last played senior football for a mere 20 minutes as a substitute
for the Hammers at Wigan Athletic in February.
But he had been troubled with groin problems since Wales' win in San Marino
last October.
A stomach operation followed and Bellamy's season was all but ended, until
the run-out in Iceland.
With stand-in captain Carl Fletcher on his way home after suffering ankle
ligament damage against Iceland- and with Simon Davies out of the trip with ankle problems- Bellamy's final match of the season
will be leading his country against the Dutch.
Manchester City teenager Ched Evans scored the winner just five minutes
after coming on as a substitute for Fletcher for his debut.
But it was Bellamy's appearance that delighted Toshack just as much as
Evans' scoring debut.
Toshack said: "That's six games unbeaten and we have used another batch
of youngsters. Ched did very well but I was so pleased to see Craig back on the pitch."
"He has been a very unlucky boy with injuries and we have certainly missed
his Premier League quality."
"I just hope now he has one more game in him and then goes away for a nice
summer break, hopefully to return to pre-season training at West Ham raring to go. We need him as much as they do."
Toshack gave Bellamy's club-mate Jack Collison his first cap, along with
Wolverhampton Wanderers' new striker Sam Vokes.
But it was the Rhyl-born Evans who stole the headlines.
Toshack said: "He has a natural scoring talent and he took his chance really
well. He can be pleased with himself."
"But he is just one of several youngsters who produced good performances
here."
"Collison and Vokes also made their debuts, and we had several of the Under-21
side out on the pitch in the end."
"But Ched stole the show. He has just signed a new contract at Manchester
City and it is pleasing that they are showing confidence in him."
"He has plenty to learn yet, but I am happy that he is being given his
chance at City. Maybe he will go out on loan next season- he did very well at Norwich last term- but City are clearly going
to give him a chance to prove what he can do."
