Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has revealed that he is "absolutely delighted" that Craig Bellamy is part of his first-team squad.

Bellamy has impressed in his club's four victories over the Christmas period that has seen Cardiff open up a seven-point gap at the top of the Championship table.

However, despite the 33-year-old seeing his season interrupted by injury, Mackay has insisted that Bellamy has been an important figure both on and off the pitch.

Mackay told reporters: "Top players stay top players because of their work ethic and you look at him and see that and my players see that.

"I'm absolutely delighted that we've got Craig. He's someone from the first day who has applied himself and that has absolutely no ego.

"There's a lot of goodwill towards Craig Bellamy inside our football club and he reciprocates that by the respect he's got for the people that he's working with - coaches and players."

Bellamy has scored four goals in 17 appearances for the Bluebirds this season.