ANGRY Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan last night laid into controversial Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer for the challenge that threatens to rob him of Eyal Berkovic for this week's crucial UEFA Cup clash.

Berkovic was forced to limp out of the 3-0 defeat at St James' Park on Saturday, and is struggling to make Thursday's game against Groclin in Poland.

Bowyer had only just replaced Kieron Dyer in the 86th minute, when a crude challenge forced the Israel international off the pitch.

The Newcastle man was booked and Berkovic, who had himself only just come on as a substitute for Paul Bosvelt, is now struggling to make the trip to eastern Europe.

Keegan said: "I thought it was a very, very, poor tackle from Bowyer.

"He had been on the pitch about 30 seconds and it was a bad challenge. We ended up being penalised doubly because we had to take Eyal off.

"It didn't cost us the game but we will have to assess the damage. We have one or two niggly knocks and a lot of games coming up and we are going to need a full squad."

While Berkovic is likely to miss Manchester City's clash in Poland, Bowyer will come into contention for a starting spot when Newcastle defend a 3-2 lead at home to FC Basel on Thursday.

Sir Bobby Robson may opt for a more defensive formation, and could bring the former Leeds United and West Ham midfielder in on the right or the centre.

Meanwhile, Robson was full of praise after the return to action of Jonathan Woodgate.

The 23-year-old's loss for 11 games after surgery on a double hernia was a huge blow for the Magpies.

However, Woodgate returned to the fray on Saturday and did so with comfort against a forward line of Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler and Robson could barely contain his delight.

"Woodgate strolled it, really," he said. "Woodgate is one of those players who doesn't seem to have to graft to have an excellent game.

"He's got so much in his locker. He's not at his height in terms of fitness. He's had two reserve games and he's been out two months.

"But to come in like that and play against Anelka and Fowler and just stroll it in my opinion is remarkable."

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