Nations League: Wes Burns says Craig Bellamy support was crucial during injury recovery

Wales winger Wes Burns has opened up about the vital support he received from head coach Craig Bellamy while sidelined with a serious knee injury. After a two-year absence from the international scene, Burns explained that the manager's consistent encouragement helped him maintain a sense of belonging with the national team.

In January 2025, while playing for Ipswich Town, Burns suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a match against Liverpool. The injury kept him out for 11 months, causing him to miss Ipswich's Premier League campaign and Wales' international fixtures. Burns noted that football can be a fleeting industry, but Bellamy’s regular communication made a significant difference.

The world of football forgets you very, very fast when you're not playing. But when someone of Craig Bellamy's stature, the head coach of Wales, is calling me every month, or once every two weeks, to make sure I'm doing well... it's a massive, massive plus. Wes Burns

Burns, who now plays for Leicester City in League One, is looking forward to the next steps in his career. Despite the club's challenging start to the season, he remains optimistic about the team's process under manager Russell Martin. Having returned to the national squad, Burns is now focused on contributing to Wales' Nations League campaign, with an opportunity for minutes in the upcoming clash against Denmark.