WALES coach Osian Roberts says it is “imperative” that Craig Bellamy remains part of the national squad beyond next week’s Gary Speed Memorial Match against Costa Rica.

Bellamy, 32, was yesterday named in a 24-man squad for that fixture, which was picked by a combination of new manager Chris Coleman and Speed’s assistants Roberts and Raymond Verheijen.

But Bellamy, who was particularly close to Speed and had been convinced to prolong his Wales career by the late manager, has said he is considering ending his international career following next week’s Cardiff City Stadium clash.

Roberts hopes the Liverpool forward, who has scored 19 goals in 67 caps since his debut against Jamaica in 1998, will decide to be involved in Wales’ 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign having held talks with new boss Coleman.

Roberts said: “I hope it’s not his last game.

“There has been no indication that it will be.

“We have to manage his physical state with all the injuries he has had, but the form he has been in has been fantastic and it’s imperative that he is in the team and around the squad.

“The players all look up to him, he is the ultimate professional. He looks after every detail, he trains like he plays – with great intensity which is why you have to manage his workload.

“But he sets the standard and the players round him raise the bar because he is a great example to any young player and it rubs off on others.

“Craig has to make the right decision for himself and hopefully he has the goal, the same as ours, to get to Brazil in 2014.”