REALISTIC Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has warned fans that he may never have all of his first-team squad available at one time, and pleaded for patience as he tries to get as many of his players back to full fitness as possible.

The news of Albert Luque's return to training and Alan Shearer already back running after his hernia operation on Monday has been tempered by Steven Taylor's shoulder problems.

"All along we've said we have to be patient," said Souness, who expects to have Stephen Carr in contention for the trip to Chelsea in a week's time after his hernia operation.

"I doubt if we will ever have all our strongest players available at one time.

"I think we've got some special players at this club with people like Emre and Michael Owen and I think our supporters recognise that.

"Albert Luque's getting close to a return but it's not as simple as that.

"We've got a group of players here who are very talented. We've taken Emre and Luque and these are players nobody really knew about.

"I've no idea when you'll see the best of this team."

Souness has his fingers crossed Taylor's problems are not as bad as first thought, with the manager hoping the solution to the defender's shoulder joint can be put on hold for now.

The 19-year-old felt the problem while training with England U-21s this week, forcing him to return to Tyneside on Tuesday.

"Taylor's shoulder popped out at the Sunderland game but went straight back in," said Souness.

"He feels he has done the same thing with England. It is a regular occurence that will have to be operated on but hopefully we can get away wit it until the end of the season.

"He will let it settle down and then see the specialist on Monday."

Souness remains hopeful Shearer can defy the odds and be back in time for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

* Midfielder Kieron Dyer has spoken of his ''relief'' that the medical condition which has hampered his recovery from injury has now been pinpointed.

The England player is suffering from an undisclosed medical problem and while the nature of it is still not in the public domain, Dyer is clearly pleased to have been given a definitive diagnosis and was insistent he would play again this season.

''I have seen all the top people about my injury. At first we thought it was the back, so I did everything they asked of me and broke down again,'' he revealed.

''I was really low about it, so in a strange sort of way, to find out about the condition was a relief for me.

''Now it is all out in the open, it has taken a bit of the pressure off me.''

Dyer, described by his manager Graeme Souness as a ''very, very unlucky young man'' after learning of his problem, told the club's website, www.nufc.co.uk: ''It's not just about my hamstrings, the condition is affecting the healing process for me.

''I have seen a lot of specialists and I've had some good news because we think we may have come up with a solution.''

Dyer is confident of returning to action ''sooner rather than later'' and says his troubles have been put in perspective by those of team-mate Charles N'Zogbia who suffered a family bereavement last week.

''I try to put things into context now. Look at the situation young Charles found himself in just last week when he lost his father. It just goes to show that my problems are not as bad as the ones that some other people have.''

* Wigan manager Paul Jewell yesterday became the first manager for four-and-a-half years to win two consecutive Barclays manager-of-the-month awards.

Jewell claimed the award for October after a stunning month saw his newly-promoted side race to second place in the Premiership.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has won the players' award for last month.

Under Jewell, Wigan enjoyed a 100 per cent record in October with home wins against Fulham, Newcastle and Bolton and victory at Aston Villa.

After 11 matches the Latics are also the meanest defence in the league, conceding a miserly five goals.