NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness is hoping to have Turkish midfielder Emre available for Saturday's trip to Fulham.

The 25-year-old, who made a £3.8m move from Inter Milan in the summer, has suffered two hamstring strains during his short time on Tyneside.

He has not featured in the first team since November's 1-0 defeat at Everton, with his absence exacerbating a midfield crisis that has worsened in recent weeks.

With Scott Parker's knee injury ruling him out for another month and Amdy Faye on international duty at the African Nations Cup, Emre's return would represent a timely boost to a Newcastle side who have slipped back into the bottom half of the Premiership.

But, with Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Steven Taylor also on the long-term injury list, Souness will be taking no chances with one of his few remaining match-winners.

"Emre has a chance of playing this weekend but we'll have to see how he is in training on Thursday and Friday," said Souness, who has insisted he will not be releasing anyone this month unless a ready-made replacement is already in place.

"If he is able to play against Fulham it will be a massive boost for us because he was brought to the club to be a very important part of what we are trying to do.

"He has had terrible luck with his injuries since he has been here, but I think he has already given supporters a glimpse of what he is capable of.

"He was already becoming a firm crowd favourite before he suffered his second hamstring injury and I believe he will prove to be an excellent signing.

"We have missed him a lot because he is one of the players who can make things happen. It has been very frustrating for me, but it is just as frustrating for him.

"He hates being injured and he has hated having to miss so many games. He is desperate to start playing again, but we'll make the decision nearer the time."

Meanwhile, exiled midfielder Nicky Butt is desperate to keep Birmingham in the Premiership so he can complete a permanent move to St Andrews.

Butt signed a season-long loan deal with the Blues in the summer and, should they avoid the drop, a clause in the deal converts his current temporary stay into a long-term one.

If Birmingham fail to avoid the drop he will be forced to return to St James', a fate both he and the Magpies are keen to avoid.

"I would definitely like to stay here," said Butt, who made 26 appearances for Newcastle last season. "I have enjoyed myself and there are a great bunch of lads at the club who work hard.

"If we can kick on, get up the table and the manager decides to keep me at the end of the season, then all well and good. I was happy to come to Birmingham and it still feels like the right move."

* Newcastle's FA Cup fourth-round tie at either Cheltenham or Chester will be televised live by the BBC.

The tie will be played on Saturday, January 28 (ko 12.30pm) and Newcastle's opponents will be known once the two League Two sides complete Tuesday night's replay at the Deva Stadium.

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