Speed sees benefit in Bellamy returning to Liverpool

The 32-year-old appears surplus to requirements at Manchester City after being frozen out of manager Roberto Mancini’s plans.

Reports claim Bellamy, who spent last season on loan at Cardiff, is being considered by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish as back-up to first-choice strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez. Bellamy spent the 2006-07 season with Liverpool before moving to West Ham United and then City, where he fell out of favour after Mancini replaced Mark Hughes as manager two years ago.

Speed said: “It is only natural Craig is going to be linked with top clubs because he is a top player.

“Liverpool are a fantastic club and if that is true and it comes off, that would be great.

“Hopefully by the end of the transfer window things will be sorted out.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon made it clear over the summer that he was interested in taking Bellamy back to Parkhead. The striker played in Glasgow on loan in 2005 but is not keen to return north of the border.

“I do not want to go on loan again, because where would I go after that?” said Bellamy at the beginning of this month.

“A permanent move would be the best, but it would have to be somewhere wealthy so I can guarantee future earnings for my charity.”

Speed yesterday named Bellamy in his squad for September’s Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Montenegro and England.

The squad shows few changes from the one initially selected for the Australia friendly earlier this month.

Striker Simon Church returns while fellow forwards Ched Evans and Sam Vokes are left out.

That pair, however, have been included on a nine-man standby list in case of withdrawals.

Aston Villa defender James Collins and Norwich midfielder Andrew Crofts, who withdrew last time, are again included.

Star players Aaron Ramsey, who featured for Arsenal in this week’s win over Udinese, and Spurs’ Gareth Bale also feature.