NEWCASTLE UNITED'S injury-ravaged campaign took another turn for the worse yesterday with Graeme Souness confirming Stephen Carr aggravated his hernia problem at Fulham on Saturday.

The full-back was making his second start after undergoing an operation in Germany which forced him to miss 12 games with the injury.

He lasted just 45 minutes of the 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage, and initially thought he had damaged stomach muscles.

But Souness admitted last night: "We're on a wing and a prayer with the injuries at the moment.

"Stephen Carr has aggravated his hernia problem. We don't know how serious it is yet because he was at a funeral yesterday so he will go for a scan on Tuesday, but it is a big worry.

"It is linked to the operation he had and it's another major blow to the team.

"He is gutted about it because he thought the problem was finally behind him and he could get on with playing football.

"I've never known an injury situation like it, we're getting stung every week. We've got the equivalent of an entire outfield team injured at the moment.

"Every time we get somebody back another one falls. It's exasperating and that's an under statement. We just have to hope our luck finally changes for the better and quickly."

Titus Bramble also faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of the ankle injury which forced him out of Saturday's game.

The centre-back remains doubtful for this weekend's visit of Blackburn, with Souness also revealing the hip injury to Shola Ameobi could rule him out for the season.

"Titus wanted to play (on Saturday), but it was too swollen," said Souness. "He didn't train on Monday and he will rest again on Tuesday.

"We'll have to see how he is on Wednesday and then keep our fingers crossed that he doesn't suffer a reaction before the weekend.

"We're not certain about what to do with Shola. He has a hip problem and has been told to rest for a week. We'll see how he is next week.

"He might need an injection, but that's hit and miss, you just don't know what effect that will have.

"He might be okay, but then it might get worse after a game and he is out for the rest of the season.

"If the rest doesn't solve it, he'll probably need an operation and that will mean we're not going to see him again this season."

* Celestine Babayaro will face no action from the Football Association over the challenge on Tomasz Radzinski that incensed Chris Coleman.

The Fulham manager believed referee Alan Wiley had missed the incident which, according to Coleman, left the striker with four stud marks down his shin, and called on the FA to act.

But an FA spokesman last night said Wiley had seen the challenge during the game and had chose to take no action.

An FA spokesman said: "Referee Alan Wiley confirmed with us that he saw the incident between Celestine Babayaro and Tomasz Radzinski.

"Under FIFA rules the FA are therefore unable to take any further action."

l Newcastle striker Michael Owen has stated that is unlikely to become a manager when he retires from playing.

The 26-year-old England international is passionate about horse racing and admitted he would probably pursue a career owning and breeding horses when he hangs up his boots.

Although he has captained his country, Owen believes he is not suited to the stresses and strains that come with being a manager.

"I hope to play football for years to come but, as it stands, I cannot see myself opting for the stresses and strains of management," he said in his column in The Times.

"You are more likely to find me in the stables than the dugout as I try to breed my own winners. I have already made a start."

Owen is hoping to be back in April after breaking a bone in his foot and added: "The doctors seem happy with how the bone in my foot is healing and although it is too early to be making accurate forecasts, I hope to be back for at least a month of the Premiership."

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