CRAIG BELLAMY is on a final warning at Newcastle United after being cautioned by police for an attack on a girl student.

United confirmed yesterday that they had launched an internal investigation into the incident, which took place on Newcastle's Quayside in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Striker Bellamy, signed from Coventry City last summer for £6m, was one of four United players involved but the only one cautioned for common assault.

The 22-year-old Welsh international, who has scored 14 goals this season, is set to play against Southampton today at St. James' Park in a game which could see Newcastle move back to the top of the Premiership table.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd warned Bellamy about his future conduct in November, when he was sent home in disgrace and disciplined -- along with Kieron Dyer, Carl Cort and Andy Griffin - for a breach of club rules during a training trip to Spain's Costa del Sol.

Shepherd now has it in his power to sack Bellamy, even though it could wreck United's pursuit of their first top-flight title for 75 years. Bellamy is more likely to receive the maximum fine of two weeks' wages -- an estimated £40,000 - and be ordered to make a public apology.

But Newcastle are losing patience with the player, and manager Bobby Robson is privately seething over the latest disruption to what has otherwise been an outstanding season.

Robson was away on business in Ipswich on Thursday, but was kept up to date by Shepherd on the facts behind yet another shameful episode for football.

The United boss said yesterday: "Of course I expect high standards from my players, but I am not making any comment because I have not yet seen any of the players in question.

"We are going to get Saturday's game out of the way and then address an ongoing investigation into what happened. There may be a statement on Monday."

The club earlier issued a provisional statement, which said: "Newcastle United has a strict code of conduct, which we expect our players to adhere to.

"We are aware of the allegations which have been made against certain of our players, and we shall be conducting our own internal investigation immediately.

"At present the club has nothing further to say."

The girl involved in the incident was named yesterday as 21-year-old Charlotte Smith, who it is claimed was punched and kicked to the ground during the late-night fracas. The other players involved - Dyer, Cort and Wayne Quinn - were questioned as witnesses.

England hopeful Dyer, currently sidelined with a stress fracture of the left foot, was said to have "acted like a gentleman''.

The midfielder had not been drinking but had gone to the popular Seas nightclub to pick up his three teammates.

The incident happened at Mariner's Wharf, St Peter's Basin, after Miss Smith and her two student flatmates accepted a lift from the players in Dyer's S320 Mercedes. The four players were hauled out of training on Thursday and ordered into meetings with Shepherd. Now Bellamy must wait to discover his fate.

* Both Shola Ameobi and Jermaine Jenas have been called into the England U21 squad for their friendly against Slovenia on Tuesday

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