NEWCASTLE United are monitoring West Brom duo Zoltan Gera and Curtis Davies.

Manager Glenn Roeder is keen to add several new faces during next month's transfer window and has had the Baggies watched in recent weeks.

With injuries robbing the Magpies of a whole starting XI, Roeder is keen to strengthen throughout his squad, with versatile forward Gera providing options in a number of positions.

Despite Davies signing a four-year extension to his deal at the Hawthorns only last summer he hasn't seen eye to eye with new manager Tony Mowbray.

The 21-year-old has described some selections during Mowbray's short time in charge as "odd", with the former Hibernian boss forced into denying this month that the two had had a bust-up.

Mowbray has admitted he may be forced into selling one of the club's prize assets next month to fund his own dealings in the transfer market as he attempts to secure a place back in the Premiership next season.

Former West Brom assistant Nigel Pearson is now number two to Roeder and would undoubtedly have earmarked Davies as a target.

The £3m signing from Luton is one of the country's brightest defensive talents, with former Baggies boss Bryan Robson putting a £10m price tag on him last summer.

That has not put off potential suitors with Arsenal, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Aston Villa in the chase for his signature.

Roeder has rookie duo Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage as the only fit centre-halves with a degree of experience in his squad, and he will need to add to his defensive ranks next month.

Davies' price tag may prove prohibitive with Roeder unlikely to want to blow his entire budget on one player.

With Gera rated at around £2m, a deal would be more likely for the 27-year-old, who has 11 goals in 34 caps for Hungary. He impressed during the Premiership campaign following his arrival from Ferencvaros for a £1.5m fee in July 2004.

A more immediate problem for Roeder is his crippling injury list with the Newcastle boss struggling to put out a defensive back four against Chelsea tomorrow night in the Carling Cup.

Paul Huntington is likely to start only his third first team game alongside Taylor and Ramage, and the 19-year-old could even be switched to left back with Celestine Babayaro banned.

If Nolberto Solano (groin) is not passed fit, James Milner could be the latest player to be used an emergency right back.

Roeder, however, is hopeful Emre will recover from the ankle knock he picked up in the 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday.

Roeder said: "At this moment I have only two experienced defenders in Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage.

"We still need another defender and Solano is 60-40. If he does not make it for Wednesday he will be out there on Saturday against Spurs.

"The same applies to Emre. He has a very sore ankle but says he has a good chance of playing against Chelsea."

* Henrik Larsson will be in excellent shape when he joins Manchester United on loan on January 1, according to Helsingborgs coach Stuart Baxter.

The former Sweden striker, 35, has trained with Sir Alex Ferguson's squad for the first time ahead of his short-term move from the Swedish club.

He will stay in Manchester for the rest of the week before rejoining his family to celebrate Christmas.

Baxter said: ''We only finished our season ten days ago so Henrik is still in good shape.

''If he works reasonably hard over Christmas - which I presume he will do - and gets in some good work with United that will bring him back up to speed.

''Of course Henrik has got to adjust to the pace of the game, the same as everyone else. But for the job United want him to do, his fitness will not be a problem.''

Larsson arrived in England on Saturday and travelled with the squad to West Ham, where they lost 1-0.

Baxter also attended the match at Upton Park with United suffering a frustrating time in front of goal.

He added: ''If Henrik had been available, I am sure it would have been an interesting one for Sir Alex to tinker with.£