SHOLA AMEOBI was last night tipped to make the most of Craig Bellamy's injury by Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson ahead of today's mouth-watering showdown with Premiership champions Manchester United.

Bellamy returned from Wales' trip to Serbia & Montenegro this week with a worrying recurrence of a knee injury, and has been ruled out of the Magpies' first home match of the season.

And the highly-charged striker could also miss Wednesday's crucial Champions League qualifier with Partizan Belgrade.

But, while disappointed, Robson - who also has influential centre-back Jonathan Woodgate missing today with a mild stomach strain - is backing Ameobi to prove just why so many experts rate him so highly.

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson and Under-21s coach David Platt have both revealed their admiration for the towering and skilful striker.

And Robson, who has not made a final decision on his team selection, said last night: "I think Shola is ready to play. He's champing at the bit. He's raring to go.

"I am delighted with Shola. He's come a long way and he is ready. Every time he comes on he gets a great response from the crowd and they like him.

"Against Man. United I feel sure we have a ready made replacement for Craig. I have also got other people in my mind; LuaLua is in the squad and Dyer can play up there."

Despite feeling confident that Ameobi can come in and do a good job, Robson admits he is more than a little concerned over Bellamy's injury.

The lightning-quick forward, who has formed such a lethal partnership with Alan Shearer in recent seasons, has been plagued with injury problems and is feeling the strains of an old knee operation.

Robson believes that Bellamy will not need to go under the surgeon's knife again, although a specialist appointment is likely to be arranged.

"Craig had a large operation for tendonitis a year ago which he has recovered from," said Robson. "This is side effects from his cruciate injury, which he has had a repair job on.

"We may have to send him to a specialist in the early part of next week. The scan will give us a better indication."

After last Sunday's 2-2 draw at Leeds United, Newcastle are keen to find the winning note domestically as soon as possible. And after Manchester United's demolition job on Bolton in their opening fixture, Newcastle know they will have to be on top of their game.

Old Trafford chief Sir Alex Ferguson, whose side won 6-2 at St. James' Park in April, drafted in Eric Djemba-Djemba, former Newcastle target Kleberson and Portuguese starlet Cristiano Ronaldo during the summer - as well as overseeing the much-publicised transfer of David Beckham to Real Madrid.

And Robson is expecting Ferguson's men to be in buoyant mood - especially after scoring 11 goals in two games against Newcastle last season.

"Djemba-Djemba came on last Saturday and he looks strong," said Robson. "I knew about Ronaldo but we had Laurent so there was no need for me to go for him.

"Kleberson is an outstanding player who we tried to sign last Christmas.

"The chairman went to Brazil to get him here, but it just didn't come off. It's just a shame his work permit has come through for this game!

"They will be confident after the last time they came here but it's another match and another day."

And on the skills of Ronaldo who hit the headlines with a starring display on his debut, Robson said: "Ronaldo, at that age, is special. Alex brought him on last Saturday at the ideal opportunity.

"They were in control and they brought him on and potentially he was a fine player.

"There were four great players in Portugal last year. We got one in Hugo, Tottenham got another in Helder Postiga, Quaresma went to Barcelona and Ronaldo has gone to Man. United."

Meanwhile, Andy Griffin is convinced his time at Newcastle will boost his hopes of playing for England.

The full-back, who is battling with Aaron Hughes for the right-back slot this afternoon, has never hidden his aspirations to play for his country.

Griffin said: "It's always players' ambitions to play for their country, it's everyone's dream.

"My ambition is still to play for Newcastle United week in and week out and try to qualify for the Champions League.

"If I'm doing that then you never know. I'm not going to say I should be here or there because that's not up to me.

"But if Newcastle are a top four or five club in the country then it won't do my chances any harm."