ALAN Shearer has conceded that he has "no idea" whether Newcastle can still finish in the top six, after claiming that Jean-Alain Boumsong's hamstring strain is the latest example of an injury curse that is wrecking Newcastle's season.

The sight of Boumsong limping from the field at Highbury was quickly forgotten amidst the Craig Bellamy-inspired chaos that dominated post-match discussions.

Yet, while Bellamy's indiscretions have undoubtedly hindered Newcastle's attempts to make up lost ground in the Premiership, Boumsong's misfortune could have even graver repercussions.

The France international was signed just two weeks ago but, after a scan showed significant damage to his hamstring, Graeme Souness is already facing the prospect of being without his £8m man for at least a month.

That would represent a massive blow to a United boss who must rapidly be viewing his job on Tyneside as something of a poisoned chalice.

With Nicky Butt, Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro also sidelined, four of the six players signed since the end of last season are currently on the treatment table.

Such a significant absentee list would hinder anyone and, while Shearer admits that his boss could never use the club's misfortune as an excuse, he views Newcastle's horrendous injury record as a mitigating factor in this season's dramatic fall from grace.

"The manager won't come out and say it, but we've had dreadful luck with injuries this season," said Shearer, who has only just returned from his own two-month lay-off after a combination of thigh and calf problems. "We've had our fair share - and someone else's I think.

"I really don't know what's attainable in the league now. Obviously we're not happy with the position we're in at the moment.

"The manager will never come out and say it because, if he did, it would look as though he was making excuses.

"But we have had a lot of injuries. We thought that, over the last six or seven days, we were coming through the worst of it and seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. But we picked up yet another one on Sunday and that's disappointing.

"It's been happening ever since Graeme came to the club, but that's football. That's what the squad's for and that's why he wants to bring some more players into the squad before the transfer window closes next week."

Boumsong's injury merely added to the impending sense of doom that engulfed Tyneside in the aftermath of Sunday's 1-0 defeat.

With Bellamy effectively drawing a line under his United career, there wasn't much to smile about at Highbury. But the form of goalkeeper Shay Given at least provided a rare shaft of light on an otherwise gloomy afternoon.

The Republic of Ireland international made three sensational second-half saves to prevent things getting even worse for the Magpies, and Shearer has admitted that Given's presence alone provides reason for optimism in the second half of the season.

"With a goalkeeper like Shay, you've always got a chance," said the United skipper. "Shay made some fantastic saves in the second half at Arsenal when we were under the cosh a little bit.

"The manager changed things around and we tried to go after the game a little bit more. That meant we left ourselves open at the back but, when they got through us, they were unable to get through Shay.

"He was in top-class form, but he's a top-class goalkeeper and we all know that. He proved himself again on Sunday and, without him, it could have been three or four."

Given's next outing will come on Saturday, when Newcastle take on Championship strugglers Coventry in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Cup has always had a special emotional hold over the Magpies but, this year, there is a powerful practical necessity for the club to do well in the competition.

Out of the Carling Cup and adrift in the Premiership, the FA Cup offers one of just two remaining chances of silverware this season, as well as providing arguably the best opportunity of more European football next term.

"The FA Cup's a big competition for us," said Shearer. "We've been given a good draw, so we have to make the most of that.

"We've got that and we've got the UEFA Cup - they're the two chances we've got left to win some silverware. Fingers crossed, but we've been saying that for a few years now."

* Arsenal face Manchester United at Highbury next week without key defender Kolo Toure due to a three-match suspension for elbowing Shearer.

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