CRAIG BELLAMY is in the United States to have his sixth knee operation, as Newcastle United try to save his injury-plagued career.

Leading specialist Dr Richard Steadman, the well-respected expert who saved Alan Shearer's playing days, has been given the task of trying to solve the 24-year-old's tendinitis problem once and for all.

Bellamy has been undergoing stringent tests in a bid to solve the mystery of his latest set-back after returning from international duty with Wales.

The temperamental striker was fit when he left the Welsh squad after their Euro 2004 qualifier with Serbia & Montenegro ten days ago but complained of a knee problem on his return to the North-East.

Now Bellamy has flown out to see Denver-based Dr Steadman and he is expected to go under the surgeon's knife within 24 hours of touching down in America.

A club spokesman said last night: "The club has been aware of the presence of tendonitis in Craig's left knee, similar to the condition he had in his right knee, for several weeks and therefore have been treating it conservatively during this period.

"This involved resting the knee together with a special exercise programme which would usually have allowed the condition to settle down naturally.

"However, the problem flared up again during his last international duty and it was felt that, following further consultation, surgery would be the best option for Craig.

"It is anticipated the operation will take place within the next 24 hours after which he will face a strict recovery regime."

Bellamy was initially operated on by Dr Steadman during the summer of 2002 and the hope is that he can save the front-man's career another time.

He has missed Newcastle's last two victories - against NAC Breda and Middlesbrough - and Robson was already resigned to being without his influential forward for tonight's Premiership trip to Fulham and Saturday's visit of Portsmouth.

However, Robson must now be keeping his fingers crossed that Dr Steadman can work his magic on Bellamy's problem again and ensure the player is not ruled out for the long term - although it took Bellamy four months to recover from his last knee operation and the fears are that he is facing a similar spell on the sidelines.

The latest blow for Bellamy adds further fuel to the belief that Robson is in desperate need of further firepower in his squad.

And Barcelona have confirmed that Newcastle have made an inquiry about their Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert.

Kluivert did not play for Barcelona at the weekend because of injury, and has not yet scored for the Catalan club this season.

The Barca fans have jeered the former AC Milan man and president Joan Laporta could be tempted to cut the club's losses on the 27-year-old, whose current Barca deal runs until 2005.

But Laporta, who met up with Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd over the weekend, said: "Newcastle came to invite us to play in a quadrangular match next summer, and they asked for the situation about Patrick. We did not give permission for them to negotiate. Kluivert is a forward of the top level and we need him to score goals, which has been lacking.

"If an offer is made we will study it and we will meet with the club so that it can be considered."

Kieron Dyer (thigh) and Andy Griffin miss tonight's trip to Fulham through injury and Nolberto Solano's Newcastle career appears to be in balance after he was omitted from the squad.

The Peruvian international has continually been at loggerheads with his manager over playing for his country.

And, although he trained with the Magpies yesterday, Solano has been left behind after reportedly storming out of the Riverside after not being selected for Saturday's derby victory at Boro.

''I have left him out of the squad and he will stay at home in Newcastle,'' said Robson. ''We have had a chat and will have further talks when I return from London, and that is all I want to say.''

* Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien has warned his teammates to expect the unexpected from Fulham tonight.

The Magpies travel to Loftus Road aiming to make it three Premiership wins in a row against a side tipped for relegation at the start of the campaign.

However, under Chris Coleman, Fulham have surged to sixth spot.

And O'Brien said: "Fulham have done very well. They have always had a squad of good players and have invested a lot of money.

"Chris Coleman has done a very good job. That is shown in the results. They have added a physical presence to their game. A lot of their players are good strong players. It isn't as if they are a team without names, they have some well-known players."

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