NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson today gets another close-up view of the striker he failed to snap up in a summer of cat-and-mouse games with Tottenham.

Robson's limited transfer funds meant he missed out on £11m Sergei Rebrov - and Spurs boss George Graham pounced to whisk the Ukraine star off to White Hart Lane.

Robson then pipped Graham, among others, to land £7m striker Carl Cort from Wimbledon, having picked off another Spurs target in Racing Club front-runner Daniel Cordone.

The Argentinian deputises for hamstring victim Cort today as skipper Alan Shearer's frontline partner, after marking his home debut with a stunning goal in a support role in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Derby.

Robson is now relishing comparing the talents of Rebrov with cut-price capture Cordone, who cost £500,000 on a one-year deal which gives the Magpies the option to make the move permanent.

The United manager said: "I saw a lot of Rebrov in the Champions' League when he was with Dynamo Kiev and I was at Barcelona. He damaged Barcelona.

"He's a clever, intelligent player who is worth the money Spurs paid for him.

"He interested us at one stage. He was a player we really liked, but we didn't have £11m. We went as far as our budget would allow.

"We're always looking for a bargain, but he wasn't a bargain - he was at Harrods!''

Robson, however, believes he picked up a bargain in Cordone.

"Daniel can play anywhere up front - and he'll be okay alongside Alan Shearer.

"He's here for a year and we got him for virtually nothing. He didn't know whether he would like it here and we didn't know whether he'd settle, so that's why we decided on this arrangement.

"But on the evidence of what I've seen of him, he's liking it very much. We have his registration and we can either retain him or let him go.

"My assistant, Mick Wadsworth, saw him play and we took him based on Mick's judgement. He's clever in front of goal and what we've got to do is learn to get the ball to him and let him play.''

Robson, who has been in charge at St. James' Park for almost a year, yesterday echoed the words of predecessor Ruud Gullit when he spoke of United's injury "curse''.

With the season only a week old, United have seven senior players on the injured list.

The biggest worry is Greek defender Nikos Dabizas, who has been ruled out for a minimum of two months after undergoing an operation yesterday to repair cartilage and cruciate ligament damage sustained against Derby.

And Argentinian midfielder Cristian Bassedas has suffered a setback in his recovery from a broken foot, which means he faces at least a further four weeks out.

Robson said: "Dabizas nicked both cartilages and suffered slight damage to the cruciate ligament.

"We can forget about him for two months at least. It's a cruel blow in the circumstances.

"Bassedas has had a heavy plaster removed from his foot. Unfortunately it hasn't healed yet, the crack is still there. He's been told not to put any weight on it for another three weeks at least.

"That's another blow because we thought he would begin training again this week. We hoped he would be back for the home game against Chelsea in two weeks' time, but he's got no chance.

"He's been very unlucky and he's a bit distraught because it's the first time he's been injured - so I think we'll change our surgeon!''

Robson added: "Carl Cort has had a scan and has a slight hamstring tear, so he should be out for two or three weeks.

"I've pulled Robert Lee out of the squad because of his calf injury. He would be a risk, even if he came on as a sub. We've got about a ten-day break coming up and he'll back in full training on Wednesday. He'll be fit and raring to go on the following Wednesday when we play at Coventry.

"But Marcelino is out for six weeks. He's snapped a tendon in his finger, he's in plaster for three weeks and there's a distinct possibility he'll have to go into another splint for three weeks.

"We've been very unlucky with injuries since I came here. When I arrived we had 13 and we've been very unlucky with injuries this pre-season. Didier Domi cracked a rib - and that was just with the ball hitting him. We've also had Alan Shearer's tendinitis in his knee and Kieron Dyer's shin splints.''

Full-back Andy Griffin is also still out with a groin injury, but striker Kevin Gallacher is on the mend following a thigh problem and should be fit for the Coventry clash.

The paucity of resources has forced Robson to step up efforts to strengthen his squad - and a deal could be imminent.

"I won't be dormant about it,'' he said. "Funnily enough, we're in the same position as we were last season when we played Tottenham here and I had to put out a makeshift team.

"We played with an abundance of spirit and beat them 2-1. The players realise we're a bit thin at the moment until I can do something about it, and I know they'll give 100 per cent.''

One player who won't be returning to Tyneside is Portuguese defender Helder, who enjoyed a successful loan spell last season.

Robson had hoped to clinch a permanent £2m deal, but Spanish champions Deportivo La Coruna want to keep the muscular centre-back. "We understand he's now not for sale, so that's dead,'' said Robson.

l FORMER Darlington striker Jamie Coppinger yesterday won a rave review from Bobby Robson - who compared him to Chelsea's Gianfranco Zola.

Coppinger, who moved to Newcastle from Feethams nearly two-and-a-half years ago for £250,000, was loaned to Hartlepool last season. But Robson was impressed with the 19-year-old in this week's reserve game against Middlesbrough. He said: "He's small but he's put on a bit of weight. He's a great player in the box and he's quick - I liken him to Zola in a way. He has some of his qualities.'