SIR Bobby Robson is hoping for a double boost this morning as he prepares his side for Saturday's St James' Park showdown with Charlton.

Striker Craig Bellamy and centre half Titus Bramble were both sent for scans following Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Tottenham, and losing either for a prolonged period would be a major blow to both United's domestic and European ambitions.

Bramble played no part at White Hart Lane after sustaining a knee injury in training last week, although the 22-year-old was part of the Newcastle party which travelled to London.

Bellamy strained his hamstring in the latter stages of the game and, after his recent hot spell, United can ill afford to be without him for long.

The Welshman has scored five goals in his last seven outings since returning from a knee injury at the end of January.

His injuries have been well documented over the last couple of years, but fellow frontman Alan Shearer is in no doubt as to just how important Bellamy could be for the rest of the season.

"He's got five goals in a short period and it's a case of the more the merrier as far as we're concerned," said Shearer. "His confidence is obviously high and, when he's fit, he's a big player for us.

"He's a different type of forward. He has never really been prolific, but you saw what he can do against Real Mallorca.

"He had missed a similar chance before they scored, so it was important for us that he stuck his goal away because it was a vital time for us to score."

Robson is already likely to be without Kieron Dyer on Saturday after he pulled his hamstring for the second time in a month during the 4-1 win over the Spaniards.

Dyer is unlikely to be fit for next week's return leg in Mallorca and if Bellamy is ruled out of both games United's striking resources will be severely depleted.

Shola Ameobi and Michael Bridges are both desperate to earn an extended run, but neither pose the same pacy threat as the Wales international.

If Bellamy is forced back on to the sidelines, forgotten frontman Michael Chopra could find himself back in United's first-team squad.

The Newcastle-born youngster made his full debut in the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn just before Christmas. But, after finding his chances limited on Tyneside, he agreed to a loan deal with Nottingham Forest last month.

Things didn't work out at the City Ground and, after just three starts for Forest, Chopra has returned to Newcastle to fight for his place.

"I'm pleased to be back at Newcastle now," said Chopra. "It wasn't the best of moves for me to be truthful.

"Paul Hart took me down there but he was sacked a couple of days later and I didn't really get much of a chance when Joe Kinnear took over.

"I played a couple of games here and there, but it wasn't what I'd been expecting and it was good to come back.

"I'm back here now and I know we have a busy period coming up - so maybe I'll get another opportunity. I've had a taste of it in the first team, and I want more."

A number of First Division clubs are monitoring Chopra's position at St James' Park, but the 20-year-old is understood to be reluctant to go out on loan again.