NOLBERTO SOLANO has hinted he may have to turn his back on Newcastle United after his latest plea for Premiership action appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

The Peruvian winger is a fans' favourite at St James' Park but he has not started a top-flight fixture since September.

It has been a frustrating spell on the sidelines for Solano, who was expected to return to the starting line-up against Tottenham this afternoon.

However, the right-midfielder fears he may not be recalled despite impressive substitute appearances in his last two outings.

And Solano admitted his patience is wearing thin, although he does not want to cause a rift between manager Sir Bobby Robson and the club's supporters.

"I want to stay but you never know because I want to be playing regular," said the South American. "For four years I played all the time at this club, now I don't and it feels strange.

"I like to play football and the best for me would be to stay with the club and play instead of letting me to go to another club. But it depends on the situation.

"I am not pushing the manager and saying I must play every week. I need to be more involved than I have been because for a month, a month and a half, I haven't started in the team.

"The only reason I might leave is if that didn't change because I'm not the type of player who is happy just picking up his salary.

"For five years the fans have been fantastic to me but they don't decide the team. I want to be popular with the manager as well as the fans and I don't want to come between them both."

Prior to moving to England, Solano, who turned 29 yesterday, played as a full-back for his former club Boca Juniors.

He enjoyed 45 minutes playing in that role against Liverpool last weekend, but quipped he would welcome playing in that position, provided he was not up against the likes of Damien Duff and Ryan Giggs every week.

"I'm working hard every day but it's the manager's decision," said Solano. "I need to prove to him in every second of a game I'm given that I can play in the first team.

"I know there are other players in my right-midfield position like Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, but there is only one place.

"It's difficult for me now, but it's up to the manager to decide. Hopefully he can give me a chance against Spurs, but I don't think he will. I'll be ready, though, any time he wants to put me on the pitch at a minute's notice.

"I used to play at right full-back five years ago. It is not easy to play in that position especially here because you can come against players like Duff and Giggs but I am very happy to come on and play right back. I would play there but it depends on the situation. It's difficult for me but if I have a chance I will take it."