Newcastle United have issued their sternest warning yet to Wales over striker Craig Bellamy and his participation in Wales Euro 2004 qualifier against Italy.
The Magpies fear the 24-year-old will cause further damage to the knee he injured during his country's defeat in Serbia and Montenegro last month if he pushes himself to in Saturday's match and against Finland at home next Wednesday evening.
Bellamy was due to train for the first time today since being told to rest by a Harley Street surgeon.
But United have hit back after Wales boss Mark Hughes admitted he was hopeful that the man who scored the winner against the Italians in Cardiff last season will play in Milan.
Chief operating officer Russell Cushing said in a statement released today on the club's official website, www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk: "Wales must expect that we will fight tooth and nail on this.
"We must protect the interests of both the club and the player to the fullest extent."
The club statement added: "Although the player himself has allegedly said he wants to play for Wales in the next two games, which is understandable in view of their importance, the club's specialists and doctors are against this as the likelihood of the player's knee problems being compounded by playing will increase significantly.
"A strict regime of rehabilitation was necessary after Bellamy's last operation to his right knee which kept him sidelined for long periods last season and equally understandably United are not prepared to allow any risks in this new situation."
Newcastle claim the results of an independent examination carried out in Sheffield on Monday have still not been conveyed to them, although Hughes did discuss the situation at a press conference yesterday.
His desire to have Bellamy at his disposal is understandable with Wales knowing victory at the San Siro would all but secure their passage to next summer's finals in Portugal.
However, Hughes, who flies out with his squad to Milan tomorrow, insisted yesterday that he would not take any chances with Bellamy.
"I would always have Craig's best interests at heart and there is no way I would risk him if he was not fit," he said. "Craig has joined us and he is very positive about the situation.
"I hope he can play in both matches, but we do not really know yet. We will have to see how he comes through treatment and training. We will assess the situation game by game."
Bellamy has not played for the Magpies since the international in Belgrade, missing a run of games which has seen them lose in the Premiership against Manchester United and Birmingham at St James' Park and fail to qualify for the Champions League.