GRAEME SOUNESS admits three Newcastle United youngsters are threatening to become first-team regulars - even when the squad is injury-free, writes PAUL FRASER.

As well as the towering defensive displays of Steven Taylor, both Charles N'Zogbia and Peter Ramage have shown in recent weeks they are more than capable of holding their own on the Premiership stage.

All three have had huge parts to play in Newcastle's run of three consecutive wins and are now at the forefront of the manager's mind for the rest of the season.

It was at Manchester United at the back end of last season - a 2-1 defeat - when Souness first began to realise Ramage was starting to fulfil his potential. And the Newcastle boss believes he is not the only one.

"We had a difficult end to last season because of all the injuries we suffered but if there was a bonus it was that we saw Charles N'Zogbia and Peter Ramage all play at Old Trafford," said Souness.

"There's a big difference playing in those sort of games in front of big crowds. There's playing and being regular and Charles and Steven Taylor have shown they can do that. Now Ramage has to show he can too.

"It's always pleasing when a young player comes through the ranks. We now know Ramage can play anywhere across the back four. Prior to Sunderland we didn't know if h could play at left-back - now we know."

Newcastle were given an insight of things to come at West Brom on Sunday when Shola Ameobi partnered Michael Owen in attack and Souness said: "Shola's got it all before him. He knows this is a big club and it's a fact that clubs like this will try to go out and buy the finished product but he can save the club a big transfer fee, as can Michael Chopra.