Stoke City MAD decided not to run the story yesterday as we felt that the story was taken rediculously out of proportion - including by the national press who have also ran stories of Stoke's "bid" for Bellamy.
Director of Football, John Rudge today said: "We are mystified as to where this story has come from, it's pure speculation.
"It would be great though to have someone like Craig Bellamy in our team.
"But whether we could afford the wages, which we believe to be in excess of £2 million pound a year, and whether the lad would play in the Championship is another matter."