NOLBERTO SOLANO insists Newcastle United's derby winners have left the celebrating to supporters in an attempt to ensure the future of manager Graeme Souness lies at St James' Park.

While the Magpies faithful enjoyed their fourth successive victory over their arch-rivals, the feeling among the Newcastle squad was more of relief than joyous scenes.

The players know that not even a win over Sunderland papers over the cracks of what has been a disappointing start to the campaign, and that similar results need to continue.

Having overtaken Middlesbrough in the Premiership table and climbed back up to mid-table mediocrity, Newcastle are at least starting to show signs they are heading in the right direction.

But, with a testing Carling Cup trip to Grimsby booked in for tomorrow evening and an away day at West Brom next Sunday on the agenda, Solano knows there is no room for slip-ups if the players are going to keep the pressure off their manager.

Defeat to Sunderland could quite easily have cost Souness his job but, having avoided that scenario, the Scot is hoping to lead his side back towards the top four as his injury list shortens.

And Solano, who made his first appearance against the Black Cats since joining in August, stipulated that all the good work must not be undone over the next few weeks.

"Players were not celebrating in the dressing room afterwards because we are ambitious and we are too far away from where we want to be," said the Peruvian, who knows Newcastle are still seven points shy of a Champions League spot.

"When we have the full squad available we are very strong and people are starting to come back. Kieron Dyer is not far away and Michael Owen will be back for the West Brom game at the weekend so we are looking forward.

"It has not been easy because the biggest clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have not had the same amount of injuries. They also have bigger squads so we have to start picking up points.

"We know, the players know, that this is a big club with big expectations and we can't keep dropping points. Of course there is pressure on the manager but with all the squad available to him things will be different.

"Sunday was a win for the manager. He deserves it. He is a great man and he has been under pressure all the time. The fans will be very happy having won the derby but our ambition is to finish in the top four."

In the 18 months Solano has been away from St James' - he moved to Aston Villa in the January transfer window of the 2003-04 campaign - he has looked on at events in the North-East with concern.

Sir Bobby Robson, the man whose decision it was to sell the right-midfielder, was sacked eight months later and replaced by Souness, who failed to guide the club into Europe this season.

But Solano, a fans' favourite and a player who never wanted to leave, expects Newcastle's non-appearance on the continent to be a temporary blip and hopes to put things right come May.

"It is difficult to say what has happened since I left because I was away but any manager needs time," said Solano, who was part of numerous high-profile Champions League adventures during his first six years in England.

"That is what he needs. He has brought in new players and sold some old ones but all he needs is time to get it right. When all the squad is together we will see what happens."

Solano had to sit frustrated in the stands when he first made the £1.5m move back from Aston Villa, after a suspension was followed by a thigh injury.

But now, after receiving a great reception from the Newcastle fans on his second debut for the club against Sunderland, the 30-year-old is keen to make up for lost time.

"After seven weeks out it wasn't easy on Sunday and I didn't take any of the corners or free-kicks, but I finished the game well and I will only get better," he said.

"All I need is games under my belt. The supporters were amazing to me and I found it unbelievable. With our crowd it should always be a joy to play at St James' Park and I am so glad they went home happy."

Meanwhile, Alan Shearer could well be rested at Blundell Park tomorrow night after it emerged he has been putting off a hernia operation.

The club skipper has been forced to play more games than he would have liked this season already and is expected to have surgery in the next international break - between November 5-18.

Strike partner Michael Owen has been named on a short-list of 50 for the European Footballer of the Year award.

* Scott Parker has appealed against the yellow card he received against Sunderland. Parker was wrongly booked for a foul on Andy Welsh, which he did not commit.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.