NEWCASTLE UNITED are facing up to being without influential centre-back Jonathan Woodgate for two months.

Woodgate missed last night's UEFA Cup success over NAC Breda and manager Sir Bobby Robson revealed the player is going to be ruled out with a double hernia problem.

The former Leeds United defender is due to go under the surgeon's knife this weekend after undergoing tests.

But, although Robson admits Woodgate will be missed, the manager insists he has got the men to cover.

"Jonathan's got a double hernia operation on Saturday and it's a blow for us," said the Magpies chief. "He was terrific for us on Saturday against Bolton.

"But unfortunately he felt a lot of pain in the lower regions this morning, and we had him in Manchester and it's confirmed as a hernia.

"We have got Titus Bramble, Andy O'Brien and Aaron Hughes who can all do a job there and we still have Nikos Dabizas as well."

The injury to Woodgate failed to dampen Robson's spirits after watching his side smash five past Dutch side Breda.

Welsh striker Craig Bellamy grabbed his first two goals of the season in the match to lift his spirits after a poor start to the campaign.

But Bellamy, troubled with knee problems, faces a fight to be fit for tomorrow night's trip to Arsenal.

Robson, who replaced him with Shola Ameobi in the second half, revealed: "If I decide to bring him off he has to come off. He can hardly walk now and he has ice on his knees."

He added: "Craig's first was a clever lob and his second was just a classic.

"We made Craig play further up the field - that's why he got caught offside so many times.

"He played as a lightning striker off the last defender and he got in many times."

The Newcastle chief was also delighted to see his side record their first victory since overcoming Partizan Belgrade in a Champions League qualifier in early August.

Robson said: "It was a very important win and we were back to our best. I always felt we had the ability and it was a question of time, patience and we'd be OK.

"It was important we won in front of our home public and score goals as well."

Robson also reserved praise for goalkeeper Shay Given, who made a couple of outstanding stops late in the second half.

"The important thing for me was Shay Given," he said. "Shay made two very good saves. At half-time it could have been 2-2. The keeper's presence helped us get a good result."

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