Craig Bellamy faces another six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing a second operation on his persistent abdominal injury. The West Ham United striker has struggled with the problem all season, making just seven league starts since his £7.5 million summer switch from Liverpool, and he first went under the knife in October.

The Wales captain returned to action off the bench in West Ham's defeat at Wigan Athletic three weeks ago, but he was still suffering and it was decided he needed another operation.

"He has been absolutely brilliant," George Cooper, the West Ham physiotherapist, said earlier this week. "Everything he has done has got him back to almost being ready and there is a feeling that if he carries on with slight symptoms they are likely to get worse rather than better. The symptoms have to go."

Bellamy took advantage of the enforced surgery by also having a procedure performed on his knee.

Scott Parker is set to resume training on Monday after recovering from a knee injury, while Kieron Dyer is also on the road to recovery following an horrific leg break. Bobby Zamora played a full 90 minutes for the reserves last night and is set to have one more run-out on Monday before returning to first team contention.