NEWCASTLE United received mixed news on the injury front yesterday with Kieron Dyer ruling himself out of Saturday's home game with Fulham, while Titus Bramble could be a surprise inclusion in the squad.

Dyer is refusing to set a comeback date after his latest breakdown - limping off after just 38 minutes on his return against Manchester United last week.

But Bramble has recovered after fracturing his elbow in pre-season training, and expects to be in contention for what should be Michael Owen's debut for the Magpies.

Dyer, however, admitted his return in the 2-0 defeat at home to Sir Alex Ferguson's men was a gamble that backfired.

"The strain (hamstring) obviously hadn't healed quickly enough when I played against Manchester United," said Dyer, who was initially injured in the 2-0 opening-day defeat at Highbury.

"It was a gamble - but one that I was willing to take. The manager was under pressure and we were playing against arguably the best team in Europe.

"I was asked if I was willing to give it a go and I said I was. Unfortunately for me it didn't come off."

Following the back problems he suffered at Highbury Dyer headed to Germany in an attempt to rectify the continuing injury problem that is already threatening to wreck his season.

He has failed to complete 90 minutes so far this campaign and is again on the treatment table rather than gearing up for Saturday which will no doubt be one of the biggest days for the Magpies' fans in years.

"In future maybe I will listen to my head, rather than my heart but, like I said at the time, I felt it was on of those gambles worth taking," said Dyer, speaking to Newcastle United's official website, nufc.co.uk.

And the 26-year-old hopes the additions of Owen and Nolberto Solano to the Magpies ranks will prevent a repeat of him returning before he is ready.

"If you looked at our bench and compared it to Manchester United's it just wasn't in the same class," said Dyer.

"But we've really boosted the squad now and hopefully there won't be a need to rush back if we do pick up more injuries."

Solano, meanwhile, has already lit the fuse on a potential club v country row before he even pulls on a black and white shirt after his return to St James' Park.

The Peruvian winger was constantly at loggerheads with previous boss Sir Bobby Robson over his midweek trips to South America to play for his country and the draining effect Robson believed the travelling had on the winger.

The 30-year-old has turned his back on international football on more than one occasion but admitted he could be tempted back.

"There is nothing in my Newcastle contract about not playing for Peru," said Solano.

l French midfielder Claude Makelele claims coach Jose Mourinho is not happy with Chelsea's performances this season even though they currently lead the Barclays Premiership, writes ADRIAN CURTIS.

Makelele shares Mourinho's view and warns the rest of the Premiership Chelsea have yet to hit top gear.

The veteran midfielder, who has returned to international duty with France this season, said: ''Our play is not yet on the same level as our ambitions. We are still a long way off where we were."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.