SHOLA Ameobi is set to miss next Wednesday's England game, despite Sven Goran Eriksson promising him a dream international debut at St James' Park.

Eriksson's side face Ukraine in their only warm-up game before September's crucial World Cup qualifiers in Austria and Poland, and the Swede has pledged to experiment after the disappointment of this summer's Euro 2004 campaign.

A number of young players will be promoted from the Under-21 ranks, with Eriksson promising Ameobi a first international start on his home ground.

But his hopes of a first full cap could yet be scuppered by the back injury that looks certain to keep him out of tomorrow's Premiership opener at Middlesbrough.

The 22-year-old turned his back on his native Nigeria in order to pursue international honours with England, and has scored seven goals in 20 games at Under-21 level.

And, with Wayne Rooney ruled out of next week's clash, Eriksson would like to give Ameobi the chance to head England's new generation of goalscorers.

"Shola has always been in my thoughts," said Eriksson, who is expected to receive a mixed welcome on Tyneside following recent revelations regarding his private life. "I like him, he's a very interesting player the way he plays.

"He's tall, but he has good skills. His progression from the England Under-21 side was always bound to come this season at some stage - it is time.

"I must look at players who can be our future. It is the only chance I have."

Ameobi's most recent pre-season appearance came as Newcastle lost 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon in the Newcastle Gateshead Cup final, but the striker was complaining of a bad back before taking to the field on August 1.

He was forced to sit out last week's trip to Celtic and is understood to have consulted a specialist earlier this week in an attempt to clear up the problem.

The striker is unlikely to figure at the Riverside, and Newcastle's injury problems show no signs of abating with the start of the new season now just a day away.

The central defensive area is providing the most cause for concern, with United facing the prospect of being without a single recognised centre-half.

Jonathan Woodgate has recovered from his calf problem, but is still well short of match fitness, while Titus Bramble is rated extremely doubtful because of a hamstring injury and Steven Taylor is also sidelined.

Andy O'Brien has missed training this week because of the conjuctivitus outbreak that has swept through the club, and Newcastle could be forced to name full-backs Aaron Hughes and Robbie Elliott at the heart of their backline.

Lee Bowyer and Laurent Robert are still suffering from the after-effects of their eye infections, while Kieron Dyer is also struggling to be fit for tomorrow night.

It isn't all bad news for Sir Bobby Robson though, as new signing Stephen Carr has insisted that he will be ready to make his Newcastle debut just four days after completing his £2m move from Spurs.

"I'm fit and up for selection if the manager needs me," said the Republic of Ireland international. "My match fitness is not too bad because I played 45 minutes for Spurs last week in a friendly in Madrid."

* Aaron Hughes has committed himself to Newcastle United by signing an improved contract at St James' Park.

The Northern Ireland international was the club's first-choice right-back last season, but could find his first-team chances limited after the capture of Stephen Carr earlier this week.

United officials have been keen to stress that he remains a key figure on Tyneside though, and have rewarded his loyalty with an improved deal that ties him to the club for the next three years.

"I'm very happy to have signed the new contract and am looking forward to the new season," said Hughes.