CRAIG Bellamy should be fit for Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash with Yeading after a scan showed no serious damage to his injured knee.

The Wales international limped out of Saturday's 2-1 win over Birmingham, raising fears of further long-term damage to the knee that has already threatened to wreck his career.

Six different operations have taken their toll with leading American surgeon, Richard Steadman, performing the latest surgery last October.

Newcastle missed Bellamy's pace and energy in Monday night's goalless draw with West Brom and, with Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert both sidelined for at least another fortnight, United can ill afford to be without Bellamy for a similar spell.

That worst-case scenario is now unlikely, with Souness hinting that Bellamy could even be available for this weekend's trip to Loftus Road.

"The specialist has given him the all-clear," said the Newcastle boss. "We're hoping Craig will be OK for Sunday."

Meanwhile, with United poised to up their bid for Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin, having already signed Jean-Alain Boumsong from Rangers, both Andy O'Brien and Ronny Johnsen could be on their way out of St James' Park.

Aston Villa are understood to be lining up a move for O'Brien after closing in on a deal to take Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye to Villa Park.

Republic of Ireland international O'Brien has found himself frozen out since Souness replaced Sir Bobby Robson in September, starting just two league games in the last two months.

Johnsen's first-team chances have been similarly limited, with the veteran Norwegian picking up a hamstring injury just as he was enjoying his first run in the team.

With his short-term deal due to expire in the next fortnight, Johnsen is expected to return to his homeland and sign for Valerenga.

"It's clear that we want Ronny," confirmed Valerenga coach Kjetil Rekdal. "If he does not get an extension of his contract with Newcastle, and it doesn't look like happening considering the players they have bought, he could play for us."

Both Johnsen and O'Brien will slip further down the pecking order if former Newcastle centre-half Distin returns to Tyneside later this month.

Manchester City have already rebuffed a £5m bid for the Frenchman, but United chairman Freddy Shepherd is expected to return to the table with an improved offer next week.

Villa manager David O'Leary is optimistic that O'Brien and Faye will soon sign for his club in a £5million double swoop.

O'Leary was dealt a setback when Southampton striker James Beattie turned down Villa and agreed to join Everton, but he has moved quickly to try and bring in new blood.

The Villa boss now hopes to complete deals for O'Brien and Faye before the end of the January transfer window.

O'Brien was a regular during the first part of the season but then suffered a hamstring injury and now finds himself under threat from Boumsong.

Faye would cost Villa around £2m - £500,000 more than Portsmouth paid Auxerre for his services 16 months ago.

* Shaun Wright-Phillips dealt a significant blow to the title ambitions of Arsenal. The Manchester City winger struck a thunderbolt drive on 31 minutes of a 1-1 draw at Highbury, allowing Chelsea to pull even further clear of the Gunners at the top of the table.

Only an inspirational overhead kick by Thierry Henry, which set up Freddie Ljungberg for a headed equaliser with 15 minutes left,