WORRIED Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson is ready to wrap Craig Bellamy in cotton wool after the striker's latest injury scare.

Bellamy, who has admitted he can barely walk after games because of a persistent knee problem, picked up a knock in Wales' 4-0 win over Azerbaijan in Cardiff on Saturday.

Now, with United already depleted by injuries for Sunday's vital clash with Everton, Bellamy will be told to ease up ahead of the Goodison Park visit in a bid to avoid a repeat of the breakdown last season that forced him to undergo surgery and dealt a devastating blow to the Magpies' Premiership title hopes.

Bellamy made only one substitute appearance in the final two-and-a-half months last term before travelling to the Colorado clinic of leading specialist Richard Steadman for surgery to cure tendinitis.

But a recurrence of the condition last autumn necessitated a return trip and Steadman advised that Bellamy should only play one game a week.

However, since the turn of the year, the 23-year-old has been in near-permanent action, only missing two Champions League games in this period through suspension.

With Newcastle still holding on to the coat-tails of Arsenal and Manchester United in the title hunt, Robson can ill-afford to lose Bellamy for the second season running at such a critical time.

Robson is also anxious to see the injury-prone Kieron Dyer emerge unscathed from England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey at Sunderland tomorrow night, and Jermaine Jenas report fit following Under-21 duty.

Fellow midfielders Gary Speed and Hugo Viana are already out of the Everton game, while winger Nolberto Solano is doubtful.

Wales skipper Speed misses a date with his former club after suffering a recurrence of groin trouble in the Euro 2004 qualifier at the Millennium Stadium, and faces a struggle to be fit for the crucial home game against Manchester United a week on Saturday.

Viana is out for at least as long after dislocating his shoulder for the second time this season in Portugal Under-21s' win over England.

Solano pulled out of Peru's friendly with Chile because of a thigh injury.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.