England vs Wales: We are not Wembley tourists

Manager Craig Bellamy insists Wales will not be "tourists" when they face England in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday.

Wales take on Thomas Tuchel's side off the back of a disappointing friendly defeat by Canada in September, yet still have a good chance of qualifying for next summer's World Cup in North America.

Wales sit third in qualifying Group J and face a pivotal game against Belgium in Cardiff on Monday, 13 October.

"We are here tomorrow to come and play our brand of football in difficult circumstances, in an incredible place like Wembley," said Bellamy.

"It is excitement. We are not here as tourists to enjoy the occasion. We are here to be the best version of ourselves."

England, under German boss Tuchel, are widely expected to qualify for next summer's World Cup.

They sit top of Group K with their latest victory being a 5-0 hammering of Serbia in Belgrade.

The chance to come up against the former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund boss is one that Bellamy relishes.

"I honestly believe if you play this England team and you defend deep you'll die a slow death and I'm not into that," he said.

"I'm like 'please put me up against the wall and end it now'.

"Thomas is a top manager. It's been really nice looking at a lot of England's games under him, but also I watched a lot of games at Dortmund as well.

"I went back because I've seen a bit of similarity to what I see with the team right now and what he's trying to transfer with England."

Wales have not won against England at Wembley since 1977 when a Leighton James penalty sealed a famous 1-0 win.

The last encounter between the two nations saw England victorious with a 3-0 win at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

Bellamy says he has not focused on the chance to make history but recognises the pride at stake in the fixture.

"I haven't looked at it that way [but I'm] beyond proud," he added.

"And of course when that anthem goes and you're like, 'this is so good'.

"Let's be the best versions, but most importantly enjoy it and for myself to enjoy it.

"We see England's strengths, we see their weaknesses, and for us, it's history we're always aware of and always respectful of, but to us, it's game by game."

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