NOLBERTO SOLANO has told Newcastle United boss Bobby Robson to keep faith with his South American buying policy - and snap up Peru midfielder Martin Hidalgo.

Solano is eager to see his fellow countryman arrive back on Tyneside for a second trial spell and make the move permanent.

Hidalgo is a free agent with Peruvian side Sporting Cristal, where Solano's career was launched, and is hoping to return to Newcastle next month.

United may face work permit problems, with 24-year-old Hidalgo having played in only ten per cent of Peru's competitive internationals in the last two seasons, instead of the requisite 75 per cent.

But Solano, dropped from the Peru squad for the Copa America, believes Hidalgo has the quality to boost United's hopes of ending their 32-year wait for a major silverware.

"Martin is a very big name in Peru and caused a lot of interest when he had a trial with Newcastle last season,'' said Solano.

"He's someone I have played with on many occasions. He's got a very good left foot; he is a flair player but he also tracks back and could adapt to the Premiership.

"It's the manager's decision whether he comes back here, but it's important to bring in top-quality players like him to help us next season. We've been waiting too long to win a trophy and he can help us do that.''

The failure of Argentinian striker Daniel Cordone and Paraguyan winger Diego Gavilan to make an impact with the Magpies, has led to fans' criticism of Robson's forays into the South American market.

The Toon Army jury is also still out on Argentinian midfielder Christian Bassedas, but Chilean Clarence Acuna has made a favourable impression in the United engine room.

Meanwhile, Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer has hit back at suggestions that his career has been put in jeopardy by suspect surgery on his left knee.

Shearer had an operation at Christmas for tendinitis but was forced to go under the knife again in May and is not expected to return to action until early next season.

The initial operation was performed by club surgeon Rob Gregory, but when Shearer broken down again in February, only two games into his comeback, he visited Colorado-based specialist Richard Steadman and was told he had to undergo further surgery.

Shearer, however, insisted: "Rob Gregory is a great surgeon who rebuilt my ankle after I was injured at Everton four years ago.

"He's a friend of mine and he did my first knee operation last season. I'm aware of the Chinese whispers coming from uninformed people, but frankly it has nothing to do with an operation going wrong.

"The whole knee thing is down to wear and tear. It's not down to the injections I received with England or with Newcastle, nor the first operation.

"I'll be back - don't doubt there's still plenty more to come. I'm supposed to be finished, but how often have you heard that?''

* Newcastle's home derby clash with Sunderland, schedued for Saturday, August 25, is set to be switched to the following day (4pm) for live coverage on Sky.

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