IT'S a measure of Newcastle's re-emergence as a major force both at home and abroad that Sir Bobby Robson finds himself in a predicament all too familiar to the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

International weeks have long been the bane of the lives of Manchester United boss Ferguson and Arsenal counterpart Wenger. The eternal club-v-country dispute has invariably involved the two great rivals fighting in the same corner.

Ferguson and Wenger are well-versed in applying all means possible to protect key players when international commitments interfere with crucial Premiership fixtures and the challenge of Europe.

Now Robson, whose Newcastle side joined Man. United and Arsenal as British standard bearers in this season's Champions' League, is being forced to take a similar tack.

It isn't going down well in the Valleys, but Craig Bellamy won't be on the plane to Azerbaijan today for Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifier. The match-winning hero, not only of Newcastle's Champions' League triumph over Feyenoord but also Wales' Euro 2004 humbling of Italy, is unavailable - on doctor's orders.

To be fair to Robson, he is doing what is best for Bellamy as well as his club.

The striker has been told he can only play one game a week as part of a rehabilitation programme mapped out by leading knee specialist Richard Steadman.

The Colorado-based surgeon operated on Bellamy in May after he broke down with tendinitis, and a recurrence of the condition meant he was out for over three weeks before his remarkable two-goal return in Rotterdam last Wednesday.

In accordance with Dr Steadman's advice, Bellamy was rested for Saturday's game against Southampton.

Newcastle informed the Welsh FA last week that he would be withdrawn from the Azerbaijan jaunt because of his one-game-a-week schedule and the fact that they want him fit for this Saturday's colossal clash with Man. United at Old Trafford.

The response of Wales manager Mark Hughes was to request that the one game this week be the Euro 2004 qualifier - and the next when Inter Milan visit Tyneside on Wednesday week to kick off the second group stage of the Champions' League.

Bellamy is precious to all concerned, but especially Newcastle, who are reported to be in the throes of offering him a lucrative new five-year contract.

As a former England manager, Robson can empathise with Hughes. "I understand what Wales are saying,'' said Robson. "I was a national manager and if you don't get the players you can't run the side.

"But Bellamy is priceless to us and he is not ready for that situation with Wales. We're trying to get him fit for Saturday, but we then might have to play without him the following Wednesday.''

Robson also has concerns over midfielder Hugo Viana and centre-back Andy O'Brien, who are bound for duty with Portugal and the Republic of Ireland.

On Saturday, Viana "took a whack'' which needed ice-pack treatment, and Robson quipped: "He's got international football now - but if he wants to stay behind, I don't mind! Andy has cramp and I don't know if he'll be all right for Ireland.''

The Bellamy business and other issues shouldn't be allowed to cloud the satisfaction Newcastle felt after ultimately providing further evidence of their resilience and resolve in the wake of European exertions.

They have yet to lose a game that has immediately followed Continental competition, winning seven out of eight.

But Robson's side were slow starters against Southampton, and had to recover from the shock of conceding a goal with little over a minute gone when striker James Beattie swept home from the edge of the area after O'Brien had attempted to clear under pressure from Brett Ormerod.

It was half an hour before the Magpies managed a shot on target when Shola Ameobi forced a fine one-handed save from keeper Antti Niemi.

But the elusive Kieron Dyer sublimely set up Ameobi for a simple close-range finish to level five minutes before half-time.

Skipper Alan Shearer, facing the club who launched his career, was repeatedly foiled and frustrated in his bid to score his 100th Premiership goal for Newcastle.

Referee Clive Wilkes denied Shearer what looked a clear penalty - and booked him for his vehement protests - when he was brought down by Niemi two minutes from the break.

Shearer also later had the ball in the net as an offside flag was raised, saw a 20-yarder saved by Niemi and a header nodded off the line by Matt Oakley.

Before all that, however, Aaron Hughes' first goal of the season completed Newcastle's recovery, the left-back steering the ball home right-footed from Viana's astute pass.

Robson reckoned Shearer deserved his century, but disagreed with Southampton boss Gordon Strachan's claim that, if the Newcastle captain had still been a Saint, the visitors would have won.

"Alan's contribution was massive, but you don't win a match with one performance,'' said Robson, who also had specific words of praise for Dyer, midfield partner Gary Speed and centre-back Steve Caldwell.

Ameobi's goal was his third this term, and Robson added: "Shola went from dozey to dynamic. Their two centre-halves pushed him around like a baby until Dyer's brilliance turned the match. The goal lifted Shola and we were a fighting team again.''

The Magpies are on the march.

Result: Newcastle United 2 Southampton 1.

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