Roberto Mancini insists Craig Bellamy is a key member of his plans at Manchester City Football Club.

The much-travelled Welsh international has become a hugely popular figure at Eastlands, but he was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur following Mark Hughes’s dismissal.

However, new Blues coach Mancini has taken little time to become a fully signed up member of the Bellamy fan club, and the Italian wouldn’t consider selling him.

"Craig is an influential member of the team,” he told the official club site. “He is very strong and quick and always gives the team one hundred percent each time he plays for us.

“It’s not hard to understand why the City fans love him. He gives me a number of options and he has the kind of pace defenders fear. He is a vital part of my team and I’m very happy he’s here.”

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