Souness had also written a scathing attack on the player in his programme notes for this afternoon's FA Cup tie with Coventry. In them he is expected to claim that Bellamy first refused to play out of position under his predecessor Sir Bobby Robson."He can't ever play for me again," Souness said "He can't go on television and accuse me of telling lies. I'm not going to dwell on it, but I think in most walks of life that would be the case The situation has been addressed regarding Craig Bellamy. It was always going to happen, whether it would be a month or six months But it's a healthier club now. The only other question is whether Bellamy would consider St Andrews to be a sufficiently grand stage for his talents, although he would be partnering Emile Heskey.Chances of a reconciliation on Tyneside had all but gone by the time Souness arrived at St James' Park to tell a press conference that while he was manager Bellamy would never play for Newcastle. Otherwise, every week Bellamy sat on the sidelines at St James' Park would have cost Newcastle £45,000 a week. The Birmingham manager, Steve Bruce, said last night: "We will be having talks with him over the weekend and we hope we can convince him to come to Birmingham City. He is a quality player, quality players don't become available very often and that's why we have made the offer to Newcastle."Newcastle's chairman, Freddy Shepherd, was determined that a player who had attempted to feign injury and appeared on television accusing his manager, Souness, of lying would not cause any further embarrassment.
Pennant is due in court on a drink-driving charge on Tuesday - hours after the transfer window closes.. Birmingham City last night agreed a £6m fee with Newcastle United to take on the turbulent talents of Craig Bellamy. Once Graeme Souness stated yesterday morning that the Welsh striker would never play for him again, the only question was whether Newcastle could offload him before the transfer window closed on Monday. Dunn, who is out for the rest of the season, is to consult a back specialist about the possibility of surgery."We're playing the best team in the country at the moment and we're very thin on the ground," Bruce said, adding defiantly: "But we only need 11."He remains hopeful of taking the Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant on loan.
"He was very handsome in the summer, but I have to say he's not so olive-skinned now after six months! He's deteriorating badly."In another light-hearted aside, alluding to when Mourinho alleged a negative approach by Tottenham at Chelsea, he pondered parking two buses across Birmingham's goal They may need them. Bellamy is Cup-tied, while Birmingham's casualty list is the worst Bruce has known as a manager.They will be without Muzzy Izzet, Salif Diao, David Dunn and Stan Lazaridis - midfielders all, as is the suspended Damien Johnson Kenny Cunningham (hamstring) is also a "huge doubt". "It's all very well having money, but you still have to pick the best players, get them to gel as a team and choose a system that works. Mourinho has done all that."Whether you call him a personality, a maverick or just someone who's extremely confident, he is fantastic at his job - and his team reflect that."The way he has come in and competed with Manchester United and Arsenal in a short time has been a breath of fresh air. We all knew he wasn't going to be timid because he had won the Champions' League and Uefa Cup with Porto So the fella had to have talent. We all enjoy watching him and we're all intrigued by him."Planting tongue firmly in cheek, Bruce suggested the rigours of the British winter might be affecting Mourinho.
