TITUS BRAMBLE has jumped to the defence of Jean-Alain Boumsong, insisting the pair can become the defensive wall Newcastle United have been searching for.

Both centre-backs have received criticism during their time at St James' Park but both performed steadily at Everton on Sunday, despite the 1-0 defeat.

Towards the end of last season Boumsong and Bramble showed plenty of promise, but injuries have prevented them playing together regularly this term.

Bramble missed the first month of the campaign with a serious elbow injury, while his appearances have also been restricted by a series of niggling strains.

But, following the recent injury to Steven Taylor, they have been reunited for the last two Premiership games at Chelsea and Everton.

Newcastle failed to keep a clean sheet in either but Bramble insists, given time, he can rekindle his best form with Boumsong in the middle of the defence.

"The thing you have to remember is that we've not played that many games together this season," said Bramble as the pair prepared to start at Wigan in tomorrow night's Carling Cup tie.

"A lot of that has been down to injuries, but Steven Taylor has been magnificent and fully deserved his place in the side.

"Partnerships tend to grow better the more you play together, but we've not had a settled centre back pairing this season.

"That hasn't helped anyone as you can't always get on to the same wavelength as the person you're playing alongside.

"It hasn't just been at centre back either. I'm like any player in any other position. I need a run of games to find my rhythm. I think we saw that last season.

"I played my best football in a Newcastle shirt in the second half of the season because I had a run in the side. I felt confident and comfortable with my game.

"I think Jean-Alain and I will get better and better the more games we play. I thought we did OK against Everton and I know things will get better.

"I've held my hand up for my mistake at Chelsea. I was gutted about it, but you have to try to forget about it and concentrate on what you're going to do in the next game."

Bramble firmly believes most of the criticism aimed at Boumsong has been unfair.

"We've both made mistakes and they've been punished and we must eradicate those," said the 24-year-old. "But Boumsong is a top player, you don't become a French international if you do not have a lot of ability and he showed that ability last season.

"People have been harsh on him, but you have to get used to that at a high-profile club like Newcastle United, and you must take it on the chin and get on with it."

Striker Michael Owen is expected to be back in the squad tomorrow night as manager Graeme Souness starts to look for more from the record buy.

Owen has started just six of Newcastle's 11 games since arriving from Real Madrid in a £16m deal on deadline day, a factor that has seriously restricted the Magpies' progress.

Newcastle could be forced into tying up a second loan deal of the season for Laurent Robert.

The Frenchman is at loggerheads with Portsmouth over his exclusion from Saturday's team that lost to Chelsea, describing himself as "angry and upset."

There is strong talk that Portsmouth, who sacked French manager Alain Perrin last week, are seriously considering the possibility of ending the season-long loan.

Newcastle would have to agree to such a move if Robert was to leave Fratton Park and it is thought the only way that would happen is if another interested club emerged.

Bolton are believed to be monitoring the situation and are contemplating a move for the 30-year-old in January, when the transfer window opens for a month.

Trotters boss Sam Allardyce tried to sign Robert in the summer, only for the player to reject his overtures at the last minute in favour of the now departed Perrin.

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