Striker Duncan Ferguson faces a three-week examination which will decide whether he has a long-term future at Newcastle United.

Manager Bobby Robson continues to insist that the former Scottish international is a major part of his plans.

But Ferguson has fallen behind new signing Carl Cort in the battle to be Alan Shearer's strike partner in the opening game at Manchester United.

And Newcastle won't be prepared to pay wages of nearly £40,000 a week to a player who can't hold down a regular place in the side.

Ferguson, who didn't play during United's short tour of America because of a chest infection, hopes to get his season under way at Burnley on Monday.

However, Cort has already made a big impression, with Shearer saying: "He scored 15 goals in a struggling Wimbledon side, so he must be a good signing for us."

Meanwhile, Shearer is facing up to the prospect of Euro exile for the first time in six years.

Newcastle's failure to qualify for any of the European competitions disappointed Shearer.

But he vowed yesterday: "It's something I will be trying to put right.

"Newcastle United need European football and I'm looking for a top-eight finish this season."

Shearer is suffering from tendinitis in a knee but hopes to be fit to play at Burnley.

United arrived back on Tyneside yesterday following their two-game trip to the United States.

Robson hailed it as a success and said: "It's been a team-building exercise for us with good weather and good training facilities. I would come again and would recommend other teams to come."

United, who drew at Columbus and lost against DC United, were surprised by the quality of the opposition.

Robson admitted: "The standard of American football is better than I thought. I was quite impressed."

Mneawhile Newcastle Reserves had to work hard to beat Unibond League Division One side Workington 3-2 in front of a 2,000 crowd last night.

The Cumbrians were 2-0 up at half time and Reserve team manager Tommy Craig had to lay down the law.

United were lifted by a goal two minutes after the restart by tuart Green who rifled home a great shot from 25 yards.

Substitute David McMahon levelled for Newcastle after 62 minutes and they scored the winner ten minutes from time when home defender Gary Hodgson turned a cross into his own net.

Newcastle United Reserves: Karelse, (Grindley 45), Charvet, Serrant, (Caldwell S 32), Hamilton, Marcelino, (Caldwell G 32), Beharral, Green, Boyd, (McMahon 45), Coppinger, Ketsbaia, Brady