TITUS Bramble will be hoping to play himself into the first team when he makes his long-awaited return from injury in Newcastle's second string tonight.

The former Ipswich centre-half will make his seasonal bow when Tommy Craig's reserve side take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Bramble was expected to play a key role in the Magpies' backline when Jonathan Woodgate made his shock move to Real Madrid in August.

But, instead, the 23-year-old has been forced to kick his heels on the sidelines as a protracted hamstring problem has taken longer than expected to clear up.

The injury first reared its head when Bramble felt his hamstring go tight in the pre-season Newcastle Gateshead Cup tournament.

Things worsened following a 2-1 friendly defeat at Celtic, and the defender has been unable to play since while the muscle damage has healed.

"Titus has been doing what is effectively a pre-season crammed into the space of two weeks," said United boss Graeme Souness.

"He's missed a lot of preparation work with being out for so long but he's been doing two sessions a day to catch up and he's getting there."

The injury could not have come at a worse time for either Bramble or the Magpies, as Woodgate's departure has underlined the club's lack of cover at the back.

Veteran centre-half Robbie Elliott has been pressed into regular action, while Souness brought in fellow 30-something Ronny Johnsen in an attempt to plug the gaps.

Johnsen is available for Sunday's Premiership trip to Charlton and, with Bramble and Aaron Hughes also back in contention, Souness now faces something a defensive headache because of strength of numbers rather than paucity of resources.

Elliott and Andy O'Brien have forged a useful partnership in recent weeks but, after the duo came unstuck in the 2-2 draw at Birmingham, Bramble could walk straight back into the starting line-up if he comes through this evening's game unscathed.

Meanwhile, another member of Newcastle's walking wounded has sought specialist advice in an attempt to overcome his own hamstring problems.

Kieron Dyer has not played since he limped out of last month's UEFA Cup first round first leg win over Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin because of his fourth tear in less than six months.

The problems have all affected his left leg and, with Newcastle's medical staff rapidly losing patience, the midfielder has been examined by specialists in both London and the University of Loughborough.

Club doctors have linked Dyer's repeated problems to his running style, and Souness is keen to explore every possibility in an attempt to prevent yet another tear when he eventually returns to action next month.

The United boss has insisted that the England international remains a key part of his plans, despite renewed speculation linking him with a January move to Manchester United this weekend.

* Woodgate, meanwhile, has flown to America for treatment on his thigh injury determined to prove he was a sound investment for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

"I have no idea what is going to happen now," Woodgate admitted before he flew to Ohio's Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

"If I can say one thing, it is that I will do all I can if it is going to help me get better and play again as soon as possible.

"I want to succeed at Real Madrid, it is my obsession."

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