Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed that Craig Bellamy's return to full fitness gives the club a big boost in their fight to avoid relegation.

Bellamy has been battling with a virus over the past month, and Solskjaer admits that the 34-year-old's experience could be crucial in the final three games of the season.

"Craig is hugely important for us with everything he does on and off the pitch," the Norwegian told members of the media.

"He has been very low on energy after the virus but we hope he has fully recovered and can be part of things again. We need his experience."

Cardiff visit the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.