NEWCASTLE UNITED centre-back Titus Bramble has been told by manager Graeme Souness that he must add consistency to his game if he wants to develop into one of the country's top defenders.

The £5m signing from Ipswich made only his second start of the season in the 2-0 defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday night, but impressed alongside Ronnie Johnsen.

After the game both managers, Graeme Souness and Chelsea's Jose Mourinho, heaped praise on the 23-year-old.

Souness admitted the performance of the former England Under-21 international had given him a selection poser ahead of Sunday's visit of Manchester United to Old Trafford.

Souness said: "The best defenders are the ones who make the fewest mistakes.

"There was lots to admire (about Titus) against Chelsea. I said to Titus before the game: 'If I'm going to play against you I know I can't run away from you - very few can - and I know I'm not going to out-muscle you, so how am I going to get joy against you? What I'm relying on (as an opponent) is you being less than concentrated for 90 minutes'."

"I think that has been a failing for Titus in the past. I think if Titus is going to fulfil everything that God has given him - all those attributes that God has given him - then he's going to have to get that ability to concentrate for 90 minutes.

"He's only young and maybe playing with Ronnie Johnsen helped him against Chelsea. But it's no good doing it only once in three games at this level - or every other game."

Souness appears likely to pair Bramble with Andy O'Brien at the centre of Newcastle's defence against the FA Cup holders at St James' Park this weekend, with Stephen Carr likely to come in at right back if he recovers from a knee injury.

Olivier Bernard will resume his duties at left back, and he was another who was impressed with the return to first team action of his defensive team-mate.

Bernard said: "We looked very tight at the back. I think Titus played a superb game alongside Ronnie.

"Titus has been out for a while, but he has made a big impact. Now it's down to the gaffer whether he selects him on Sunday.

"We have a big squad, but I thought it was a good partnership because Ronnie has the experience and Titus the power and pace."

While disappointed with crashing out of the Carling Cup, Bernard did see enough positives in the Magpies' play to make him hopeful that silverware was not too far away.

He said: "It's disappointing that we're out of the Carling Cup because it was a competition we knew we could win.

"But if we play that quality of football all season we are capable of winning one of the other cups, the FA or the UEFA Cup.

"We are a fantastic side going forward and we're going to score goals, for sure. It's just a matter of time.

"We've lost our last three games, but there are positives to take from them. Our problem at the moment is we cannot score goals, but we will get that back.

"It's hard to believe we're not scoring goals with the strikers we have, but it's not only about them. It's about the midfielders and the defenders as well.

"It's been strange because since I came to Newcastle there has been no problem getting goals."

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