TITUS Bramble is hoping to end a summer of frustration by forcing his way into the Newcastle side for Saturday's Premiership clash with West Brom.

The 23-year-old, who has missed the opening five games of the campaign after injuring his hamstring in pre-season, resumed training yesterday.

Sitting on the sidelines is difficult at the best of times but, with United struggling in the early stages of the season, Bramble has found himself unable to help a defence that has been robbed of the services of Jonathan Woodgate.

Andy O'Brien and Robbie Elliott have toiled manfully in his absence, but Bramble cannot wait to add his efforts to Newcastle's surge up the Premiership table.

"It has been very frustrating," admitted the former Ipswich centre-half. "It (hamstring) felt tight in pre-season, but it was only after the game at Celtic that it got too bad to play.

"I never enjoy being injured and it was especially hard when the team weren't getting the results everybody expected and the manager went."

Bramble will face a fight for a first-team spot though, as Souness was generous in his praise of both O'Brien and Elliott following Sunday's 2-1 win at Southampton.

The duo successfully shackled James Beattie and Kevin Phillips, and it would be a major surprise if they were not given another chance on Saturday.

Despite spending most of the season scratching around for a centre-half, the recent signing of Ronny Johnsen means that United are now reasonably well covered in that area.

Johnsen has been training with the Magpies for more than a week and should be close to full fitness by Saturday.

Meanwhile, midfielder Lee Bowyer is delighted at the increased attacking freedom he enjoys in tandem with Nicky Butt.

The former Leeds midfielder made a number of his trademark surges into the box on Sunday, and is confident he will start to find the target if his partnership with Butt continues.

"I think we had a good understanding," said Bowyer. "Nicky protects the back four and he's going to allow me to get forward.

"With us getting crosses in the box all the time, and the awareness from the frontmen that we've got, I'll be looking to score a few goals."

* Jermaine Jenas last night spoke of his sadness at hearing of the death of Brian Clough, the man who "made Nottingham Forest".

Jenas made 29 appearances for Forest after signing his first professional forms with the club in 1999, six years after Clough said farewell to the City Ground.

The Nottingham-born playmaker was raised as a Forest fan, and knows Clough's memory will live on forever.

"When I was coming through the ranks, Cloughie's name was everywhere," said Jenas. "He was an absolute legend.

"When you consider what he achieved at the club, the trophies he won over such a long period of time, it is phenomenal.

"He was the man who made Nottingham Forest and he was the person who ensured the club played good football. It is an ethos which remains at the club even today.

"I met him a few times and he was so enthusiastic about his football, but particularly about Nottingham Forest.''

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