ONE of Graeme Souness' most pivotal summer signings does not believe the manager's future should even be an issue as Newcastle United prepare to go into the Tyne-Wear derby without star striker Michael Owen.

Defeat by Sunderland at St James' Park tomorrow is being tipped by some to signal the end of Souness' 13-month reign on Tyneside, the Magpies having won just two of their opening nine Premiership matches.

But midfielder Scott Parker has rallied behind the man who paid Chelsea £6.5m for his services in the summer.

The 25-year-old is astonished Souness is under any threat ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby - the first in two-and-a-half-years - but sympathises with the Newcastle supporters during a difficult time.

The Magpies, who have spent almost £50m since Souness took over, have endured a long line of muscle injuries this season and have attempted to find a solution to the problem by relocating training to the academy.

And Parker is keen to help Newcastle overcome Sunderland, not only for the supporters but to lift the pressure off the shoulders of his under-fire boss.

"I don't think his job is under threat," said Parker. "It's disappointing to hear things like that. From the minute I came here, there were injuries and we didn't get off to the best of starts. The manager came under a bit of stress but I think he has signed some really good players, massive ones like Michael Owen.

"It's easy to say but I don't think people have seen the best Newcastle team that could have been out there this season. We've had a lot of injuries, although in saying that we still have a squad here which should maybe be getting a few better results than we have.

"Of course we will be trying to win it (the derby) for the manager but I don't think it's come down to that (whether he gets the sack). Everyone is behind the boss. We stick together, win or lose."

Souness and Parker's hopes of success tomorrow have certainly not been aided by the fact that England striker Owen is likely to be missing.

After limping out of a routine practice game on Tuesday with a tight hamstring, the £16m forward has not trained and underwent more treatment yesterday.

Despite reports claiming the player is out for a month, Souness insisted last night that his club-record buy has not definitely been omitted from the Sunderland game, although it is looking more likely.

"Michael's 50-50, the fact it's the derby makes no difference whatsoever," said the Newcastle boss.

"If it was a cup final in May and he had all summer to get over it then we might use him, but not at this stage of the season.

"He had a real bad hamstring injury three years ago (at Liverpool). The final decision will be down to Michael. He's had the scan and that's clear but he says it feels tight. You have to be aware of the bigger picture, that's all that matters. But it could easily clear up in the next 48 hours."

Clearly frustrated, he added: "We've now had 15 hamstring injuries so far this season, which is unheard of.

"I had six last year, Bobby Robson had nine the year before that. Two years prior to that at Chester-le-Street it was four and when we trained next door it was five. Fifteen in one season is unheard of, and that's why we're moving."

Parker has also not managed to play in every game, having been suspended for the win at Blackburn last month.

He is expected to find himself in the middle of midfield alongside Turkish playmaker Emre tomorrow in what looks on paper to be a pretty combative engine room for the Magpies.

Parker has been frustrated by Newcastle's sluggish start to the campaign and admits he is not entirely sure absentees are the only reason for the side's shortcomings.

"We're not playing the best football at moment. It's a bit inconsistent," said Parker, who played in both last week's defeat to Wigan and the draw at Portsmouth.

"We've played some great stuff and then been really poor. Our best half of the season was the first half against Man City when you could have brought anyone to St James' that day and they wouldn't have got near us.

"But then we've had other games when we've gone out there and been a shadow of the team we could be. Our form is a little bit concerning but I'm sure we can put it right."

Having been brought up in London, Parker only knows how atmospheric a Tyne-Wear derby is by what he has been told from his team-mates and heard over the years.

And the former Charlton man, who still harbours hopes of a World Cup call with England, does not think there is a fixture in the capital that compares to what he is about to taste tomorrow.

"I remember playing a couple of games for Charlton against West Ham which were quite big but other than that I don't think I've played in a game which has as much rivalry as Sunday's," he said.

"In London there are so many teams there is not one clear derby, except maybe Spurs v Arsenal. Nothing else really stands out as massive.

"Quite a few fans have come up to me and obviously in the last few weeks I've realised how big the game is for the people up here. It's a big game for us as well, one we want to win, and need to win. A big game all round.

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