HUGO VIANA has been told he is going nowhere after Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson revealed that Lee Bowyer could be facing a hip operation and three months on the sidelines.

Reports in Portugal yesterday claimed that midfield starlet Viana was on his way back to Sporting Lisbon on loan.

But former Sporting coach Robson, who prised Viana away from his old club in an £8.5m deal in the summer of last year, last night insisted he "hasn't a cat in hell's chance'' of leaving St. James' Park.

Robson has mounting injury problems and yesterday "spent half a day'' explaining to 20-year-old Viana why he cannot afford to lose him.

Fears that Bowyer may have to go under the knife have intensified Robson's concerns.

Striker Shola Ameobi underwent an operation yesterday on the fractured cheekbone which will keep him out for a month.

With Lomana LuaLua due to link up with the Democratic Republic of Congo on January 10 for African Nations Cup duty, knee injury victim Craig Bellamy out for a further six weeks at least and Carl Cort still short of fitness, Robson only has youngster Michael Chopra to call on as a partner for skipper Alan Shearer.

Consequently, Robson has confirmed that he is considering Kieron Dyer for an emergency frontline role, further stretching his midfield resources.

Viana recently said he would be willing to go anywhere for first-team football. He has made only five starts this season and last figured in the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea on November 9.

But Robson said: "Hugo is staying. He hasn't got a cat in hell's chance of leaving before the end of January, and he isn't for sale.

"Sporting Lisbon have been in touch with representatives of our club. I fully understand Hugo's position. He's not in the team at the moment and he wants to play. If I could let him go I would, but I am thinking about Newcastle.

"I don't know what is going to happen with injuries and we already have six players injured.

"We could end up in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup playing Valencia home and away, and Hugo could be playing in Portugal.

"He sees himself and that is all he sees. We will review his position in a month's time. He would like to go on loan, but I have spent almost half a day with him trying to make him understand the situation.''

Bowyer has missed the last three games but Robson had hoped he would be fit for the Boxing Day match at Leicester and the visit of Blackburn on Sunday.

Robson said: "Bowyer has a hip problem. We sent him to a top specialist who treated him, but unfortunately the response hasn't been as good as we thought it would be.

"We've been warned that he may have to have an operation if it doesn't get any better. If he does need an op, it will be a three-month job.

"He was back in training, but he is now unavailable for both matches this weekend.''

Robson, meanwhile, insisted he is in the dark about reports linking goalkeeper Steve Harper with a move to Celtic.

"I have no knowledge of anyone wanting Harper,'' said Robson. "My phone is cold at the moment. As far as I know, he isn't going anywhere.''

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