Bellamy issues a wing warning

Robert, signed from Paris St. Germain for £10m in the close season, produced another impressive display in the home win over Leicester on Wednesday, when Solano grabbed the solitary goal.

And Welsh international Bellamy, who set up Solano's first-half strike, believes the wide men are crucial to United's hopes of glory this season.

Bellamy, a £6m summer arrival from Coventry, yesterday declared: "Nobby and Laurent were brilliant against Leicester.

"Give them the ball and they'll tear any team apart. They get themselves into great positions for wingers and they're fantastic on the ball. They are massive players for us.

"If we're going to do well, then they have to do well. They are key players and if they are on song every week then this team will go a long way.''

However, Newcastle boss Bobby Robson is facing the prospect of a new club-v-country conflict - this time involving Robert.

Robson, who fought a long-running battle to persuade Peruvian Solano to kick his international career into touch, is bracing himself for the loss of Robert when France embark on what the Magpies' manager has labelled a "silly'' friendly in Australia on November 11.

Robert's form for Newcastle is set to win him a recall to the French squad for friendlies against Algeria and the Socceroos.

But Robson is dismayed that Robert, who admits he is "obsessed'' with playing for his country, may be on international duty in Melbourne only six days before United face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Robson said: "I have to say that I think this trip to Australia is a silly match.

"I know France are world champions and European champions so don't have any qualifying matches to play.

"But it's ridiculous to ask players to go to Australia for a friendly.

"Having said that, Laurent deserves to be in the French squad. He's a class act, a high-quality technical player with some expertise. That's something we all saw against Leicester.''