CRAIG BELLAMY has pulled out of the Wales squad for the World Cup qualifiers with Azerbaijan and Russia.

The West Ham forward missed the start of the Premier League season with a hamstring injury but made a goalscoring return as a substitute in the 4-1 win over Blackburn on Saturday.

However, Irons boss Alan Curbishley insisted after the game that Bellamy is not fit enough to play for his country.

Now the the 29-year-old will now stay in London to catch up on his fitness during the international break.

"After discussions between the managers, John Toshack and Alan Curbishley of West Ham, and the player Craig Bellamy, it has been mutually agreed that in the interests of all parties, the player will continue his rehabilitation plan at his club," read a statement from the Football Association of Wales.

Bellamy has endured an injury-hit spell with the Hammers since joining the club in a £7million deal from Liverpool last summer.

He managed just nine appearance last season due to an ongoing stomach and groin problem, and picked up his latest injury during pre-season.