Hughes Wants Bellamy

Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes is willing to offer Craig Bellamy a lifeline by signing the Wales striker from Newcastle United in the summer.

Bellamy is currently at Celtic on loan until the end of the season following his public fall-out with United manager Graeme Souness.

With Celtic unsure if they can raise the money to keep Bellamy, former Wales manager Hughes is hoping to accrue the £5m needed to land the 25-year-old.

The Lancashire club tried to get Bellamy in January as the row at Newcastle escalated but were beaten to win his signature by Celtic where Bellamy is enjoying himself and playing well.

If Rovers survive their relegation battle Hughes will need to invest in at least one striker after a disappointing season which sees their leading goalscorer amass only 10 goals in over 30 league games playes - that being Paul Dickov.

Hughes told a tabloid newspaper: "It is Newcastle's decision whether they want to keep Craig, but he is a player I obviously know well from my time as Wales manager.

"A striker is something for the summer and the sooner we can secure our Premiership status, the sooner we can plan for the future.

"We will look at a number of players in the summer."