A RESURGENT Titus Bramble last night praised Newcastle boss Graeme Souness for restoring his battered confidence after his howler in Heerenveen had threatened to derail the club's UEFA Cup campaign.

Since making a £5m move to Tyneside in July 2002, Bramble has repeatedly interspersed commanding central defensive displays with the kind of fundamental errors that are normally reserved for a Sunday morning kickabout.

Sir Bobby Robson admired the 23-year-old's physical stature, while Souness insists he possesses all of the attributes needed in an international defender, but little of the concentration that has to go along with them.

His propensity to switch off at the most inopportune of moments was graphically illustrated in the Abe Lenstra Stadion nine days ago when, with all the time in the world in which to make a clearance, Bramble dallied long enough to concede possession.

Seconds later, Klaas Jan Huntelaar was rifling the ball into the net and, yet again, Newcastle were looking to repair one of Bramble's self-inflicted wounds.

Souness admitted as much in the aftermath of the game, conceding that the former England Under-21 international had suffered "a bit of a stinker" during the first leg.

But, while other managers would have promptly dropped him to the reserves, Souness duly offered the defender the chance to redeem himself against the most potent attacking unit in the land.

Bramble's response was emphatic - a match-winning display against Chelsea that was followed by another polished performance as the Magpies booked their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

Footballers do not live in a cocoon, and Bramble has been all too aware of the criticism that has dogged him throughout his Newcastle career.

But, as he prepares to line up against Bolton tomorrow, the former Ipswich star has revealed the debt of gratitude he owes to a manager who found his man management skills called into question following the furore over Craig Bellamy.

"I don't think it is any secret that I owe a lot to Graeme Souness," said Bramble, who has been an ever-present since returning from a hamstring problem at the start of November.

"I had a poor game in Holland last week and I knew that. I didn't play well and I took a hammering for it in some quarters.

"But the manager has been fantastic to me ever since he came to the club. He has put in a lot of time and effort with me and I think I'm responding to that.

"He could easily have dropped me after the mistake I made for their goal in the first leg, but he has faith in me and he has told me that.

"He stuck with me against Chelsea and I had one of my best games for the club.

"Like most players, confidence is important to me. But the more games you play and the more good results you get as a team, the better your confidence gets as an individual."

Bramble's upturn in form has co-incided with Newcastle's best week of the season, seven days that have seen them make the FA Cup quarter-finals and the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

But, in the Premiership, the Magpies continue to struggle. Two wins in the last 12 league games have left Souness' side stranded in no-man's land, some ten points adrift of sixth-placed Middlesbrough.

It wasn't like that when the Scot first arrived at St James' Park but, after staying unbeaten in his first nine matches, Souness' first taste of defeat came laced with controversy at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

The Newcastle boss slammed Sam Allardyce for his side's aggressive style at the time, and tomorrow offers the first chance to turn the tables.

"Bolton will be a very tough game," conceded Bramble. "They are a big, strong side who try to intimidate you physically. But I'm not exactly small so I'll be trying to make sure they can't do that.

"These are the sort of games I enjoy. They've got big lads up front like Kevin Davies and I'm looking forward to having a tussle with him.

"We've had three good results in cup competitions, but now we've got to make sure we carry that into the league."

After playing alongside Andy O'Brien on Thursday night, Bramble is set to resume his defensive partnership with France international Jean-Alain Boumsong.

The £8m man is ineligible for European competition, but Bramble insists that the chopping and changing his presence necessitates will not hinder his own level of performance.

"I'm fine with whoever I play with," he said. "I'm comfortable with them all.

"We have a good team spirit here and the defenders know that the most important thing is to keep clean sheets, whatever the line-up is."

Bramble might be assured his place in the starting line-up but, with Lee Bowyer available again following suspension, Souness faces some tough selection decisions in midfield.

Amdy Faye and Nicky Butt knitted together well on Thursday and Souness must decide whether to stick with his central duo, or drop one or both in favour of Bowyer or Jermaine Jenas.

Jenas was unfortunate to be named on the substitutes bench against Heerenveen, and the England international is desperate to feature tomorrow so that he can extend a personal welcome to an old United favourite.

Gary Speed made 284 appearances during a six-year spell at St James' and Jenas remains an avowed admirer of both his playing ability and his professionalism.

"I learnt a lot from Gary Speed," said the 22-year-old. "Not only on the pitch, but also off it as well. He was a good man - he was good with my family as well.

"It's been difficult to adjust this season without him. Obviously he has a lot of experience, he has a lot of character, and he drove us on at times last season.

"He had a big season with us and it was a shame to see him go, but people make decisions and Speedy went.

"Sunday will be a big test for us with Bolton doing so well, but we've got to take our cup form into the league and start getting points on the board."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.