Craig Bellamy urges Wales to take next step

Wales face Montenegro in Podgorica in their opening match in a group which also features England, Switzerland and Bulgaria. Bellamy accepts that England are probably the strongest team in the group but sees little to choose between the rest.

The 31-year-old forward, who joined hometown Cardiff on loan from Manchester City last month, said: "We have come here to try to win, I believe Montenegro will try to do the same. If either of us have got hopes of trying to do something in this group, this game is vital.

"England - on paper - are superior to all of us but Switzerland were in the World Cup. Bulgaria are one of those teams you don't know what to expect from.

"I believe Wales, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Switzerland can really have an impact in this group. Everyone wants to get off to a good start. It isn't over for us if we don't but, realistically, I do believe the way the group is going to pan out we need to have a positive result.

"This is a big game for both of us - a lot rides on it."

Wales have undergone a transition in almost six years since John Toshack took charge with a number of youngsters coming into the side. They remain a youthful side and 11 of Toshack's 21-man squad for the match are aged 25 or under.

Yet of those youngsters, only two have a single-figure number of caps and Bellamy feels all are experienced enough to excel at the international level.

Bellamy, whose recent decision to drop a division from Premier League to Championship to join Cardiff has raised eyebrows, added: "We have got some decent experience now and it is a good group of boys. We have been building a team.

"For myself I have been ready to try to qualify for some time. With the players we do have it is a good opportunity to try to take that next step."