MARK Hughes yesterday refused to be drawn on Craig Bellamy's Wales future if the speedster is convicted of racially aggravated behaviour.

The Newcastle United striker is charged with two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour which were allegedly racially aggravated. Bellamy denies both charges.

Football Association of Wales chiefs have told national team manager Hughes they will not dictate which players he can or cannot pick and Hughes, who has a reputation for refusing to answer hypothetical questions, would not be drawn about the matter at a press conference yesterday.

"I do not think it would be appropriate to comment on that issue," insisted Hughes. Bellamy, who is due before Cardiff magistrates for a Crown Court commital hearing on Thursday, was named in Hughes' bumper 27-man squad to face Euro 2004 qualifying Group Nine rivals Serbia/Montenegro in Belgrade two weeks on Wednesday (7.15pm GMT).

And Hughes maintains the pending court proceedings against his 24-year-old player will not affect his on-the-field performances for Wales or Sir Bobby Robson's Newcastle.

"Craig is a very single-minded young man," said the 39-year-old Welsh boss.

"He is totally focused on his football and that is what he wants to do so he won't be affected by his off-the-field troubles.

"Whatever problems he's had, they very rarely affect him on the pitch because that is the environment he enjoys."

Bellamy is accused of using racially aggravated behaviour during an incident involving a club doorman at Cardiff nightclub Jumping Jaks in the early hours of March 24.

Cardiff-born Bellamy returned to the Wales training HQ in Hensol after the alleged incident to prepare for the match against Azerbaijan on the following Saturday.

He went on to score the opening goal after 13 seconds and helped Wales to a 4-0 success.

Hughes said: "Craig had a difficult start of the week but played well, scored very early on and his game was not affected."