Robson rocked by double injury blow

Kieron Dyer and Lomana Lualua both picked up groin strains in Saturday's 3-0 home win over Charlton and look set to miss tonight's game at Blackburn, where United need only a point to secure a top-four Premiership finish, and a return to Europe's elite competition.

The injury to midfielder Dyer is also a worry for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, only two weeks before he announces his 23-man World Cup squad.

Dyer, who has fought back to fitness after long-term injuries, was disappointing in a left-sided role when he appeared in the first half of England's friendly victory against Paraguay last week and appeared jaded at times on Saturday.

Having been out for almost ten months while recovering from a stress fracture of the shin, Dyer suffered another setback little more than six weeks after his first-team return when he was hit by a similar problem in a foot.

Ironically, the injury occurred after he had undergone a treadmill test at the request of Eriksson.

Now, after only seven appearances since returning from a further two months on the sidelines, Dyer is again causing concern for both club and country.

United boss Bobby Robson yesterday admitted: "Kieron was shattered on Sunday. He's pushed the boat out for us since he came back and he didn't have the greatest training preparation before we threw him in.

"We played him when was clinically fit but not physically fit, and I think it's beginning to hit him a bit.

"The groin strain is just something that has developed through twisting and turning. He needs a couple of days' rest and I'm sure he'll be fine for Saturday's home game against West Ham.

"But it's a sign to Kieron that he needs to be careful. He needs to avoid playing two matches a week.

"He ran himself into the ground at Derby the other week, had the tension of playing for England and then had a difficult match on Saturday, and it's all energy-sapping.''

Rookie striker Lualua, who scored his second goal in as many games when he struck against Charlton in his first start this season, has given Robson another headache.

"Both Kieron and Lomana are pretty sore,'' said Robson. "We won't take risks with them because we've got Jermaine Jenas and Clarence Acuna to come in, and Jamie McClen is fit again.''

But if Lualua is ruled out, Robson may recall Carl Cort in attack rather than risk Craig Bellamy.

Cort was rested on Saturday after struggling for form since he came back from over nine months out with ankle and knee injuries.

Bellamy has been absent for over eight weeks with knee tendon trouble and was a frustrated onlooker from the bench against Charlton.

But Robson insists the 15-goal striker is "too priceless'' for any risk-taking.

"Bellamy, to all intents and purposes, is fit and ready to play,'' admitted Robson.

"I need to talk with him again and the medical staff. I've said to him, 'If we need you, we'll play you, but if we don't, we won't.' Next season is so crucial to us and it's a managerial decision.

"What we're doing is in his best interests. We just need to be sure he's right to play.

"He's too priceless for us to gamble with him. We've got Carl Cort as well, and in no way do we write him off.''

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness, whose side are virtually safe from relegation after Saturday's 3-1 win at Middlesbrough, admitted he was relieved Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer had scored his 200th Premiership goal against Charlton ahead of his return to his former club.

But Robson warned: "Alan will be just as hungry for No 201. He knew Blackburn would have been a good place to get his 200th. He's a legend there and much-loved, but he won't want to score any less.''

Robson insists he will have passed his first big Premiership test if United clinch the Champions' League spot.

"We just need a point and then we can relax,'' he said. "If we do it, it will be a pretty good achievement.

"It's my first test in the Premiership, because this league developed while I was coaching abroad.

"The three clubs above us in the Premiership - Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United - are major clubs in Europe in terms of stature. Their success in the game is classical.''

Robson expects left-back Robbie Elliott, who reported with a knee injury, to be available.

"It has settled down and he's feeling much better than he was at the weekend,'' said Robson, who has named a 21-man party.

Newcastle (from): Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Dabizas, Distin, Elliott, Solano, Jenas, Speed, Shearer, Cort, Robert, Lualua, Dyer, Bellamy, Bernard, Acuna, McClen, Kerr, Quinn, Harper (gk).

Robson, meanwhile, is in the dark about reports that goalkeeper Shay Given, who faces his old club tonight, has turned down a new five-year contract after being dissatisfied with the terms.

Celtic are understood to have been alerted, but Robson said: "I don't know about that, but I know we've spoken to Shay's agent and we're trying to get together to talk about a new deal.'

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