Craig Bellamy leads Wales attack for Northern Ireland

Striker Craig Bellamy has been suffering with a hamstring problem

Gary Speed has recalled his Premier League stars for their second Carling Nations Cup match in three days when they face Northern Ireland on Friday.

An understrength Wales lost 3-1 to Scotland on Wednesday as boss Speed juggled his playing resources.

Defender Neil Taylor of Swansea is the only player retained from the first match at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey leads a side containing the likes of Craig Bellamy and Wayne Hennessey.

Bellamy missed the second leg of Cardiff City's Championship semi-final play-off loss to Reading with a hamstring injury, but the on-loan Manchester City forward has recovered in time to play for his country.

West Ham's Danny Gabbidon and Danny Collins of Stoke City form the centre-back pairing, with Taylor and Chris Gunter as the full-backs.

Gabbidon's Hammers team-mate Jack Collison returns to international duty for the first time since the 1-0 friendly defeat by Sweden in March 2010 after recovering from a serious knee injury.

It is also a welcome return for David Cotterill, who last played in the 5-1 win against Luxembourg last August - a game in which he scored.

Bellamy will be partnered in attack by Millwall striker Steve Morison.

Gareth Bale, James Collins, Sam Ricketts, Andrew Crofts, Joe Ledley, Ched Evans and stand-by duo Christian Ribiero and Brian Stock are all unavailable because of injury.

Wales lost 3-0 to the Republic of Ireland in the opening game of the Carling Nations Cup in February and Speed has suffered three consecutive defeats at the start of his reign.

Northern Ireland were hammered 5-0 by the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night in Dublin and like Wales will be desperate to bounce back.

Wales XI v Northern Ireland: Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham United), Danny Collins (Stoke City), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal, capt), Jack Collison (West Ham United), David Vaughan (Blackpool), David Cotterill (Swansea City), Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), Steve Morison (Millwall).

Subs (from): Boaz Myhill (West Bromwich Albion), Lewis Price (Crystal Palace), Darcy Blake (Cardiff City), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Lewin Nyatanga (Bristol City), Craig Morgan (Preston North End), Andy King (Leicester City), Andy Dorman (Crystal Palace), Owain Tudur Jones (Norwich City), Jermaine Easter (Crystal Palace), Rob Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Steve Morison (Millwall).