NEWCASTLE United defender Nikos Dabizas last night blasted suggestions that he could be out for the rest of the season.

The Greek international has instead set a March deadline for a comeback after undergoing an operation to cure his troublesome cruciate ligament injury.

Newcastle fear it could take eight months for the defender to recover, but Dabizas is aiming to be back for his country's World Cup qualifier at home to Germany on March 28.

"It is more serious than we first thought," he admitted.

"But I don't think I am out for the rest of the season. It will be six months at the most. It is very difficult to accept, but the only thing is to get fit as soon as possible.

"I am disappointed, but I am not looking at it from a negative point of view. These things happen."

The news will rock Newcastle boss Bobby Robson, who has already seen his defensive backline crippled by injuries.

Marcelino and Warren Barton are already out, and Alain Goma was added to the list with a broken nose following Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Charlton.

That has forced Robson to step up his search for reinforcements and it is believed Newcastle are closing in on a deal for Blackburn Rovers defender Christian Dailly.

Reports in Lancashire suggested Newcastle have made a £2.5m bid for Dailly, although assistant boss Mick Wadsworth said: "As far as the manager or myself are concerned, we have not lodged a bid for him."

If a fee cannot be agreed then one option for Newcastle may be to take Dailly on loan first.

The Magpies, meanwhile, have drafted young Scottish defenders Steve and Gary Caldwell into the squad for tonight's Worthington Cup second round second leg tie at Leyton Orient.

Steve stands by to make his debut if Laurent Charvet fails a fitness test on a knee injury. But Robson has no worries about throwing in the 19-year-old talented Scot with his side 2-0 ahead after the first leg.

"Caldwell's got a good pedigree," said Robson. "I like to put people in when it's right and when it's necessary and I can afford to do it, and not when we are forced to do it.

"But we are going to have the confidence with the lad to do it. He's a steady character, has indomitable spirit and we like him very much."

Robson admitted he will be sending a strong side to Brisbane Road as he does not want to come unstuck against the Third Division outfit.

"We can't suffer a defeat," he said. "It's a very important game for us.

"We want to get through, there's a chance of Europe through this competition.

"Orient did very well when they came to us and it will be tough, but we should be expected to win. The first goal will be very important and we are going to have to be disciplined."

Newcastle (from): Given, Karelse, Griffin, Charvet, Hughes, Domi, G Caldwell, S Caldwell, Lee, Speed, Dyer, Solano, Cordone, Hamilton, Shearer, Cort, Gallacher, Ameobi.