John Toshack has given a clear indication he wants Craig Bellamy to spearhead Wales' attempts to qualify for UEFA EURO 2012.

The Manchester City striker was a surprise inclusion in the Wales squad named by Toshack today for this month's international friendly against Croatia in Osijek. Bellamy's international future was the subject of speculation after he was overlooked for the friendly loss to Sweden in March.

The 30-year-old had been fully fit but not recalled after missing the previous two fixtures due to injury. Toshack said that as the match was a friendly he intended to look at younger options, but failed to state categorically his influential captain would return for next autumn's competitive matches.

That led to suggestions the pair were still at odds over the row that erupted over the player's fitness last August when Bellamy failed to report for training for a friendly against Montenegro. City accepted the blame at the time for failing to inform the Football Association of Wales Bellamy had a knee injury.

This will be a stern test for the players, especially as the Croatians expect a full house in Osijek and a very passionate crowd.
John Toshack

In the light of that, and with Bellamy also announcing his intention to visit his charitable foundation in Sierra Leone next week, he was not expected to feature against Croatia on 23 May. This latest development suggests a thawing in the relationship between Toshack and Bellamy.

A statement from the FAW said Bellamy's trip to Africa had been delayed "a few days", allowing him to join up with the squad. Bellamy, who has scored 17 goals in 58 appearances for Wales, is vital to the country's hopes of progressing from a European qualifying group that includes England, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro.

Another key player, Tottenham's in-form left-back Gareth Bale, has not been included as Toshack gives him chance to rest. Toshack will also be without his Cardiff and Blackpool players due to the progress of both clubs to the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final.

Cardiff trio Joe Ledley, Adam Matthews and Darcy Blake and Blackpool's Neal Eardley, David Vaughan and Rob Edwards will all be involved at Wembley on 22 May. Nottingham Forest's Rob Earnshaw and Chris Gunter and Andy King of Leicester are included after their clubs' elimination from the play-offs.

West Ham's Danny Gabbidon and David Edwards of Wolves return after missing the Sweden fixture but Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison and Joe Allen are all out injured. Andy Dorman of St Mirren is the only uncapped player in the 21-man squad to face Slaven Bilic'sCroatia.

Toshack said: "This will be a stern test for the players, especially as the Croatians expect a full house in Osijek and a very passionate crowd. However, it fits the profile of opponents for us, with the matches coming up against Montenegro and Bulgaria in the autumn."