SIR BOBBY ROBSON is likely to block any loan move for wantaway centre-back Steve Caldwell following the latest injury blow to Jonathan Woodgate.

The £9m signing from Leeds seems certain to miss the festive fixture list after tearing a hamstring in the first half of Newcastle's 4-0 win over Tottenham.

With Titus Bramble banned next weekend, Caldwell is in line to start Saturday's game at Charlton, despite again asking to move out on loan.

A number of First Division clubs are known to be keen to take the Scottish international, but Robson will block any move until after the New Year.

Speaking about the latest injury blow to Woodgate, Robson said: "It had just gone right for Jonathan. The first half hour on Saturday was the best he's played for us since his injury.

"He's been out for two months and he looked a really great centre-half again - we knew that was just a matter of time.

"Then this happens. I don't know how long he will be out. He'll have a scan Monday and that will tell us if it's a grade one, two or three tear. When we know that then we'll know how long he'll be out.

"It's a blow for us. With Titus Bramble not available through suspension we've lost both centre-halves for next week.

"They both played on Saturday and they both did so well for us."

Caldwell and Andy O'Brien are now Robson's only two recognised centre-backs, with first-team experience this season, available next weekend.

An alternative would be to bring transfer-listed Greek international Nikos Dabizas in from the cold, or move Aaron Hughes back into central defence.

The manager is unlikely to turn to Steve's brother Gary or the highly-rated youth international Steven Taylor.

Newcastle were ready to listen to offers for Caldwell, but Woodgate's injury will scupper any move when the transfer window opens in three weeks.

United offered the 24-year-old a new contract last summer and the Stirling-born defender agreed a one-year deal after a move to Sporting Lisbon fell through.

But Caldwell has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities, and believes he is no better off than he was last season.

He scored Scotland's only goal against Turkey in last Wednesday's Future Squad international at Tannadice, and believes his hopes of becoming a regular in Bertie Vogts' full squad are being hampered by his current plight.

Caldwell recently said: "It is no secret that I have been wanting to leave for the last few months but I will just have to wait and see what happens in the future. Hopefully I can get away soon - or maybe the manager will have a change of heart and play me.

"That's the ideal scenario. But I want to play for Newcastle and get picked for Scotland. One won't happen without the other."

Woodgate's injury is the latest in a long line of ailments that have blighted the England international's St James' Park career.

The 23-year-old has been limited to just seven appearances this season and has just recovered from a double hernia operation.

Robson sees the centre-back as the basis of Newcastle's defence for years to come and the latest injury will come as a big worry to Robson.

"We have talked things over with Jonathan and shown him the videos and he has looked better every day and he has been very good in training," the Newcastle manager said in the build- up to Saturday's game.

"He is much more in the rhythm now. When you have been out for two months it does take maybe a month of playing and steady training to get going again.

"He is on the verge of what he was - and what we know him to be - which is a very good player."

* Sporting Lisbon are keen to take Hugo Viana back to Portugal on loan for the rest of the season. But Newcastle have yet to consider any serious proposal regarding Viana's immediate future, and are unlikely to allow him to go out on loan.

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