NEWCASTLE'S Peruvian ace Nolberto Solano insists he has nothing to fear from the current probe into players with dual nationality passports.

Solano is one of the high-profile foreigners under scrutiny following a passport crackdown.

Embassy officials in Lima have denied knowledge of a Greek passport issued to the Toon midfielder.

But Solano's mother Janette Todco insists that her husband's grandfather was a Greek immigrant which entitles her son to acquire Greek nationality.

As the row rumbled on yesterday she insisted: "I have spoken to Nol and he says we should be calm and that everything is legal and in order.

"There is no reason why he should be investigated. He's not a criminal. All that he has achieved is down to huge sacrifices, hard work and discipline."

Solano's case is significant because he does not possess a current work permit.

But he was an established international before turning his back on Peru earlier in the season.

Solano and Argentinian clubmate Cristian Bassedas, who has an Italian passport, had no trouble with immigration officials when they flew back into England on Saturday following Newcastle's break in Spain.

There had been fears that the pair might face a holdup on their return to the country.

However, Newcastle will comply with a directive aimed at all clubs possessing players with dual nationality and forward the relevant documents to the FA this week.

"We don't make the rules, we just abide by them," said a spokesman.

Marcelino meanwhile is a foreigner with a different problem as boss Bobby Robson plans a defensive reshuffle in a bid to keep the Geordies on course for Europe.

The Spaniard needs to play in the Premiership shop window to secure a move back home in the summer.

But Robson is unlikely to risk the £6m misfit following his horror show at Charlton ten days ago.

Scottish Under 21 defender Steve Caldwell is ready to add to the competition after recovering from a thigh injury. And with Alain Goma and Aaron Hughes likely to be on duty against Manchester City at the weekend it could be that Marcelino has blown his chance.

Caldwell, 20, is itching to make an impression and insisted yesterday: "I just want to show the gaffer what I can do. I've had a frustrating time but I'll be ready if a chance comes along."

Robson meanwhile resisted the temptation to play Alan Shearer in the reserves last night against Sunderland.

Shearer, out for eight weeks, wasn't risked but still plans to make his comeback from knee surgery against City.

l Newcastle have told Michael Bridges he must prove his fitness before they try to lure the Leeds United forward back to his native Tyneside.

Sources close to Leeds United have indicated a deal to take the North Shields-born striker to the Magpies is close to being finalised so long as he recovers from his ankle problems.

l Manchester United's current superstars could not lace the boots of the club's all-time greats.

That is the view of former boss Tommy Docherty after a poll conducted by the club's official magazine 'United' named Eric Cantona the best Old Trafford player of all time, ahead of George Best, and rated Duncan Edwards only ninth.

Docherty's comments are not intended as a criticism of current players who he rates extremely highly, but rather a reflection of the talent of some of the men who pulled on the famous red shirt before many of them were born.

Mercurial Frenchman Cantona tops the list with Best, the domestic game's first real celebrity, in second place, while present day stars Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and David Beckham are in third, seventh and eighth respectively.

Bobby Charlton is the highest placed Busby Babe in fourth, closely followed by Bryan Robson and Peter Schmeichel, while Edwards and Denis Law occupy the last two places in the top 10.

But Docherty is in no doubt about who he believes should be remembered as the all-time great.

''George Best is the best player ever never mind Manchester United's,'' he said. ''How can Eric Cantona be before him? He was only there four or five years.

''Best was the best player ever, and I'm talking about the world, not just England or Manchester United. For me, week-in, week-out, Best was better than anyone.