Football: BELLAMY: IT'S WAR; Shepherd's fury as Toon star is crocked again with Wales.

Byline: SIMON BIRD

NEWCASTLE chief Freddy Shepherd is ready to call in FIFA as the club goes to war with the Welsh FA over injured Craig Bellamy.

Chairman Shepherd is livid that Bellamy returned from international duty injured for a second time this season and missed Wednesday's UEFA Cup victory over Breda.

He has demanded a full explanation for Bellamy's latest knee injury which leaves the pounds 6million star doubtful for tomorrow's Tyne-Tees derby with Middlesbrough.

And they will demand compensation from Wales if FIFA give their backing.

Shepherd said last night: "I am very disappointed that he's once again returned from international duty injured and I will be having a meeting with Sir Bobby Robson this week to find the best way forward."

United accept they cannot prevent injury-prone Bellamy from playing for Wales. He is carrying a long-standing knee injury that United nurse with a special programme.

Last month United chief operating officer Russell Cushing branded Wales a "disgrace" for using Bellamy.

Following the successful trip to Holland, Kieron Dyer has insisted Newcastle have finally banished their early season jitters - and said he wants a striker's role for England.

The United midfielder was the star of the show as Newcastle beat Breda 1-0, to record a 6-0 aggregate victory and go into today's UEFA Cup second-round draw.

Newcastle have now gone six games without defeat and Dyer is convinced his side's confidence is back after their failure to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

Robson chalked up his 100th United win and Dyer his 150th appearance in Holland and both believe the club take on Boro tomorrow with their momentum building.

Robson said: "We are warming to the UEFA Cup. We are excited about playing in it now, but it took a while to get our Champions' League set-back out of our systems. We have a head of steam now."

Dyer added: "It was mission accomplished. We had no injuries for the weekend and the manager had a chance to rest some big players and we got another win to keep the confidence going.

"It was always in our minds that we have a big game at Boro on Saturday and we didn't want to do anything stupid and pick up injuries.

"I went up front in the second half. I have come on a few times for England in that position and Sven Goran Eriksson fancies me as a second striker so I thought I could impress as whenever there is a European game England always have someone watching us.

"Breda gave it a go but we were always in control. When you are 5-0 up from the first leg it is hard to go for the kill. We had great support out here and it would have been nice to give the fans a few more goals."

CAPTION(S):

BELLAMY: Injured; SHEPHERD: Complaint