Craig Bellamy has held talks with his Wales squad following the death of George Baldock, a one-time team-mate of three of his players.
The England-born Greece international was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens, on Wednesday. He was 31.
Wales trio Rhys Norrington-Davies, Adam Davies and David Brooks played with Baldock at club level and Bellamy and his staff have kept a close eye on the trio.
‘We have players who have been very close to him and played with him for a number of years,’ said Bellamy, whose team face Iceland in the Nations League on Friday.
‘Straightaway your feeling goes towards the family, of course. Then you look at your own group of players. We have a real good support network with the FAW (Welsh FA).
Craig Bellamy has offered his condolences to George Baldock’s family and revealed the Welsh camp is looking after their players’ welfare
Rhys Norrington-Davies (pictured), Adam Davies and David Brooks played with Baldock
Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died aged 31 in Greece
‘We’ve spoken this morning about it and their clubs have obviously all been able to lend a hand as well. I love football, but it isn’t the most important thing. It really isn’t.
‘The players’ wellbeing is the most important thing. That’s where my mind went to and where it is now. I’ll speak to one or two of the players again this evening. As long as they’re OK, that is most important thing for me, in such difficult circumstances.’
This is Bellamy’s third game in charge of Wales, after his side drew with Turkey and defeated Montenegro last month.
The recent form of Brennan Johnson, who has scored six times in his last six games for Tottenham, will delight Bellamy.
Johnson deactivated his Instagram account when he received abuse following Spurs’ defeat to Arsenal in September and he has since found supreme form.
‘It shows what a strong character he is,’ said Ben Davies, who will captain Wales on Friday in the absence of injured Aaron Ramsey.
‘It is difficult to know what someone is going through at a particular time and if you’re receiving criticism it’s not a nice place to be, but Brennan has let his football do the talking.’
