GRAEME SOUNESS was last night told by chairman Freddy Shepherd to forget about using Newcastle United's extensive injury list as an excuse, and ensure a European spot in May is delivered.

It has long been anticipated that failure to earn at least a UEFA Cup place for next season would result in the departure of Souness following two seasons of mediocrity under his leadership.

A spate of injuries since the summer to key players - including record buy Michael Owen and expensive summer recruits Albert Luque, Emre and Scott Parker - have had a major say on his side's form.

Souness, unlikely to have Owen back in his ranks until April, has continually lamented the men unavailable as the main reason for Newcastle's poor showing this season.

But, despite accepting the mitigating factors which have left the Magpies 13th in the table, Shepherd insists a top six place of an FA Cup triumph is by no means out of reach.

"This is a time for everyone associated with Newcastle United - from the boardroom, to the coaching and playing staff and all our loyal fans - to be positive and to go for it," said Shepherd.

"Sometimes people can look at the negatives too much. Yes we have injuries, but people shouldn't forget that we still have a lot of quality players and experienced internationals available.

"We still have ten home matches to play in the Premiership. And that's 30 points, so I don't understand why some people are saying we cannot qualify for Europe when nothing has been decided yet.

"I still believe we can, you have to be positive when there are still so many games left. There is still over three months of the season left, anything can happen."

The words from Shepherd, although designed as a rallying call ahead of tomorrow's visit of Blackburn Rovers, are a further indication that his demands for European qualification urgently need to be met if the uncertainty of the manager's position is to improve.

But with eight points separating Newcastle and sixth-placed Wigan, major improvements need to be made having won just two of their last nine Premiership matches.

A failure to pocket three points tomorrow - when Newcastle will at least be spared having to face former striker Craig Bellamy who is suspended - and the calls for Souness' removal will inevitably grow.

Rather predictably, Newcastle's cause will not be helped again by the fact right-back Stephen Carr has been sidelined for at least three weeks.

Carr underwent an operation to repair a hernia problem in London yesterday and Souness told the club's official website yesterday that he could be out for, 'in the worst case, who knows?'

But the under-fire Newcastle boss does hold hope that Titus Bramble could return to action from the ankle problem that kept him out of last weekend's defeat at Fulham.

Bramble will train this morning and it will only be then when Souness will make a decision as to whether or not the former Ipswich man will be fit enough to face Rovers.

A similarly late decision will be made on Emre, who trained for the first time yesterday since suffering a tendon injury during the Carling Cup horror show at Wigan in November.

But, even if he proves his fitness, the Turkey international can only hope for a place on the bench.

* Newcastle's youngsters face Brentford on January 31 for in their FA Youth Cup fifth round tie. Newcastle booked a place in this stage by defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 on Wednesday night.

* Chelsea full-back Wayne Bridge's hopes of making England's World Cup squad have been boosted after he completed a loan move to Fulham.

Bridge, a £7m signing from Southampton in July 2003, target for Souness after falling behind Asier Del Horno and William Gallas in the pecking order for the left-back spot after spending eight months out with a broken ankle last year.

The 25-year-old was conscious his inactivity at Stamford Bridge - he has played just twice this season, in the League and FA Cups - was harming his chances of making Sven Goran Eriksson's final squad.

''I'm really happy to join Fulham for the remainder of the season,'' he said.

''The next few months is an incredibly important period for me to be playing regular football, as I would obviously love to be part of the manager's (Eriksson's) plans for the World Cup.

''Fulham is a nice club with a great atmosphere, but most importantly they play good football under Chris Coleman and although I did have other choices offered to me, this seemed to be the best option for me at this time.''

Bridge broke his ankle in Chelsea's FA Cup defeat at Newcastle almost a year ago and made his comeback in October last year.

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