Craig Bellamy fears he might have to put an end to his career within two years because of his injury-ravaged body.
"I know there aren't four or five years ahead of me with the injuries I've had," Bellamy told Sky Sports. "Maybe I've got one or two years at the most and it'll be all over before I know it, so I'm just enjoying it."
Despite that grim outlook, Bellamy has been Manchester City's most influential player this season, outplaying more expensive and illustrious team-mates like Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor.
And although Bellamy admitted few City fans welcomed his €13.5m arrival in January, he claimed he has proved himself worthy of the investment and won over the doubters.
"The last few months have given me a huge sense of pride," said Bellamy. "I think people have seen what I am as a player now.
"I've always got goals in my career, but am I a one-goal-in-two-games player? No, I'm not, but my career has been one-in-three, which isn't too bad.
"When I signed here a few Manchester City fans weren't sure because when Craig Bellamy's name is mentioned people think 'Do we really need this guy?'
"But I understand that. I'm not everyone's cup of tea. I hear the owners Googled me. I'm sure they asked the manager 'Are you really sure about buying this player?'
"I'm demanding and nine times out of 10, I'm wrong. A lot of money has been spent on me but the manager said to me 'Even though players will be coming in, I still have a lot of faith in you'.
"Being with better players at a club like Manchester City, a club that really sees a big future, is a pleasure to be involved in.
"Everything at City has gone well for me from start to finish. It's so professional here."
Bellamy and City face Liverpool on Saturday, in what promises to be this weekend's most promising fixture in the Premier League. Both clubs have to win to avoid any further problems since their recent bad results have seen them falling down the table.
1 - 0 |
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1 - 1 |
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1 - 2 |
76' S. Ireland
|
|
2 - 2 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Pepe Reina | |
| 23 | J. Carragher |
 17'
|
| 5 |
D. Agger
|
|
| 37 | M. Škrtel |
 50'
|
| 22 | E. Insúa | |
| 20 | J. Mascherano | |
| 8 | S. Gerrard | |
| 21 | Lucas Leiva |
63'
|
| 19 |
R. Babel
|
|
| 18 | D. Kuyt | |
| 24 | D. N'Gog | |
| Coach: R. Benítez | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S. Given | |
| 3 | W. Bridge | |
| 28 |
K. Touré
|
|
| 19 | J. Lescott | |
| 5 | P. Zabaleta | |
| 34 | N. de Jong | |
| 8 | S. Wright-Phillips | |
| 18 |
G. Barry
|
|
| 7 | S. Ireland |
76'
|
| 25 | E. Adebayor |
69'
|
| 39 | C. Bellamy | |
| Coach: M. Hughes | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 16 |
for D. Agger 11' |
|
| 15 |
for R. Babel 18' |
77'
|
| 12 |
for Y. Benayoun 85' |
|
| 1 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 31 |
