FORMER favourite Nolberto Solano has lifted the lid on some of the dressing room tensions that are threatening to undermine Newcastle's season.

On the field, the Magpies have now won just one of their last 11 Premiership games after Aston Villa came from a goal behind to win 4-2 on Saturday.

And, off the pitch, rumours of unrest within the United camp have added to the impending sense of crisis following a shaky start to the season.

Kieron Dyer refused to play on the right of midfield before the 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, and Craig Bellamy threatened to leave Tyneside last week if United were successful in their bid to sign Wayne Rooney.

Sir Bobby Robson insists that everyone is pulling in the same direction as Newcastle attempt to get their faltering campaign back on track.

But Solano, who is still in close contact with many of his former team-mates, has revealed that some members of the Newcastle camp are far from happy with their lot.

"I don't really know what's happening inside Newcastle at the moment," said the Peruvian, who made 243 appearances for the Magpies before joining Villa in January. "Although I speak with the players and some are happy and some are not.

"It's very important that the players are all pulling together, because if that doesn't happen it will be very difficult for Newcastle.

"Some are happy and some are not - especially when they're not playing - but you have to be together. You see that whenever you see Arsenal on the pitch - they are all together and that helps them.

"It has to be like that, and you have to think about what is best for the club and not for you."

Solano claimed two valuable assists as Villa recorded only their second Premiership home win over Newcastle at the weekend, piling yet more pressure on an already under-fire Sir Bobby Robson.

Many United fans questioned Robson's decision to part with the South American for just £1.5m but, while the pair did not always see eye to eye during their time together, Solano does not feel sacking the former England boss would be in Newcastle's best interests.

"I don't know if Bobby will stay," he admitted. "It's the same for any manager at a big team - it's difficult when you get off to a bad start.

"There will always be pressure at a big team so I do not know what will happen with him.

"But it would be difficult if they changed manager now because Bobby knows the players very well. A new manager would have to start again and it's very difficult when you change the manager with the season already started."

Solano opted to move to the Midlands when he was being left out of Newcastle's starting line-up at the start of last season.

Alan Shearer now finds himself in a similar predicament, with his final year in the game threatening to be a massive anti-climax if he is left on the bench for weeks at a time.

"I don't know how Alan will react," said Solano. "But it was a big surprise to see him amongst the substitutes.

"I remember when Alan was left out against Sunderland and this is a similar situation. It's hard for the manager because he has to make tough choices.

"It will be difficult for Alan as well because we know he wants to play every game, but there are a lot of players at the club and they all feel the same."