Craig Bellamy has admitted he is “so, so disappointed” it was leaked he was in talks to try and convince Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips to play for Wales. Phillips, who joined Spurs from Blackburn Rovers for £2million in August 2023, hasn’t played a single minute of professional football for the north London club.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of the 2023/24 season at Plymouth Argyle before moving to Stoke on loan that summer and he has been at the bet365 Stadium ever since.

With Phillips impressing at the Potters, Bellamy has attempted to persuade the Salford-born centre-back to pledge his long-term international allegiance to Wales.

Phillips made one appearance for Wales Under 16s before moving across to England and playing more than 30 times, from Under 17s to the Under 21s age group.

But a report came out last week that Bellamy has been trying to convince Phillips, who is able to represent Wales due to his mother’s side, to represent his nation.

The ex-Manchester City and Liverpool forward ended up failing with plans now put on hold, with Phillips now instead set to be called up for England U21s on Wednesday. The decision means that any chance of Phillips going to the World Cup are now over.

Wales picked a 26-man squad for the World Cup play-offs later this month and there was no place for Phillips and Spurs teammate Ben Davies, who is still out injured.

When asked about the situation involving Phillips, Bellamy said in a press conference on Tuesday: “We always look at dual nationalities, it’s been so good for us over a number of years. I’m so, so, so disappointed it’s got out again. It doesn’t help us. Trust me.

“I’m the one who has to ring the coaches up, I’m the one who has to ring Stoke up and apologise. It doesn’t do us any service at all – so please, if you do find a leak, speak to me first because you give us less chance of being able to get this type of player.

“It’s something for down the road, it’s not for now, but we’re always active on it. We have to be. There are players who have got quality and if they have a chance of playing for Wales so we have to be active. That’s for another time hopefully.”

He added: “I know what happened. It wasn’t malicious at all, it was done by accident. We all do want to do well. We all want the best Wales team we can.”

Wales face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying semi-final on Thursday, March 26 before taking on either Italy or Northern Ireland at home five days later, with a place at this summer’s World Cup in the United States at stake.