NEWCASTLE striker Shola Ameobi last night hailed Michael Bridges as the answer to the club's midfield crisis.

Bridges made his first Magpies start in last week's 3-1 UEFA Cup win over Valarenga after moving to St James' Park on loan in January.

But, after making his name as a centre-forward with Sunderland and Leeds, the 25-year-old found himself asked to fill an unorthodox right midfield role as a combination of injuries and suspensions bit hard.

Most of those problems will remain on Thursday night as Newcastle take on Spanish side Real Mallorca in the first leg of their fourth round UEFA Cup clash.

Lee Bowyer will serve the third game of his six-match European ban, while Kieron Dyer is sidelined because of a hamstring problem.

Darren Ambrose is nearing full fitness after a muscle injury but, should the former Ipswich star miss out again, Bridges is set to be handed a second midfield test.

The North Shields-born star didn't look totally comfortable away from the firing line last week, but Ameobi is confident he can sparkle in the middle third.

"I thought Michael did well in his first game," said Ameobi. "He was playing out of position and it was always going to be tough for him, having played so few first-team games in the last few years.

"But he looked good at times and he got stuck in. That's all you can ask of a player making his full debut."

Striker Craig Bellamy is Newcastle's other major concern after he failed to reappear for the second half of last week's win.

The Welshman suffered a hamstring strain before the break but, after treatment over the weekend, United are hopeful he will be able to play some part against a Mallorca side beaten 3-2 by Barcelona in La Liga last weekend.

Alan Shearer is certain to start up front after controversially missing the first leg of United's third round tie with Valarenga, and the Newcastle striker last night received the support of former Magpies assistant boss Terry McDermott in his war of words with Ruud Gullit.

Gullit labelled Shearer a "rotten apple" and "the most overrated player" he had ever seen at the weekend, despite the 33-year-old bagging his 367th career goal just five days ago.

McDermott, who was assistant to Kevin Keegan as United won the first division title in 1992, remains a staunch Newcastle fan. And he was quick to take issue with Gullit's comments.

"Ruud Gullit might have been a great player," said McDermott. "But I find it very sad that he could stoop so low to criticise someone who has been the greatest centre-forward in England for the last ten years.

"What type of man can make comments like this about the player who has been such a talisman for both Newcastle and England and, only last week, was named by Pele as one of the greatest ever English players.

"It would be laughable if it was not so pathetic and ludicrous. But Gullit was well known for his arrogance in the short time he spent as manager of Newcastle."

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