Bellamy's support was crucial after career-threatening injury, says Wales' Burns

Wales winger Wes Burns, 31, has revealed he deliberately sought out head coach Craig Bellamy to thank him for the support Bellamy gave him following a career-threatening knee injury.

Burns suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in January 2025 during Ipswich Town's defeat away to Liverpool. He was sidelined for almost a year, and by the time he recovered, Ipswich had already been relegated back to the Championship, while Burns had fallen off Wales' radar during their ultimately unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup through the play-offs.

Regular check-ins

Burns said Bellamy called him every two weeks or so to check on his wellbeing, which kept him feeling within reach of a return rather than forgotten. He admitted that after surgery there were moments he wondered whether he would even walk properly again, let alone play football.

Wales lost 1-0 away to Portugal in their Nations League opener on Thursday, with Burns remaining an unused substitute. He hopes to feature when Wales travel to face Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday, 27 October.

Move to Leicester

Although Burns could have stayed at Ipswich and continued playing in the Premier League, he chose instead to join Leicester City, who are currently in League One under manager Russell Martin. Leicester sit 13th with two wins from seven games so far this season. Burns said he believes the club will improve, drawing a comparison to the situation he experienced at Ipswich before its rise through the divisions.

Wales next face Norway at home in Cardiff on 1 October, following the trip to Denmark.