West Ham have decided not to operate on striker Craig
Bellamy's persistent abdominal injury.
The 28-year-old Wales captain had surgery in Germany in October but
it failed to cure the problem which has kept him for the last seven
weeks.
But Hammers boss Alan Curbishley hopes a strict training regime
will ensure Bellamy gets back to fitness.
"The surgeons have agreed it's not what was needed and that just a
lot of hard work was required," said Curbishley.
"We've locked him away with the physiotherapist and the fitness
coach to work as hard as he can and to try and recover.
"He has got to do this for a couple of weeks as well as all the
core fitness work to build up his groin and stomach muscles."
Despite ruling out the need for surgery, Bellamy will almost
certainly miss the club's hectic festive Premiership programme,
which starts with Saturday's visit to Middlesbrough.
He is also likely to be unavailable for the third round FA Cup tie
at home to Manchester City on 5 January.
Foot supports Bellamy inserted into his boots during pre-season are
believed to be the cause of the injury, according to the
club.
The problem first flared up in West Ham's Carling Cup win over
Bristol Rovers in August.
Bellamy has made just eight starts since his club record £7.5m move
to Upton Park from Liverpool in the summer.
