TITUS Bramble has been ruled out of tomorrow's Premiership game with Reading, and the centre-half could be leaving Tyneside for good next month if his contractual situation is not resolved before the transfer window reopens.

Bramble's calf complaint has added to Glenn Roeder's list of injury concerns ahead of tomorrow night's clash with a Royals side who have won their last four games.

But, while the Newcastle manager is down to the bare bones of his defence as he looks to lift his side out of the Premiership relegation zone, his problems could intensify if Portsmouth choose to step up their interest in one of his few established centre-halves.

Bramble's current contract expires at the end of the season, meaning he will be free to talk to prospective employers when the transfer window reopens at the start of next month.

Sources on the south coast suggest Pompey boss Harry Redknapp intends to take advantage of the situation by making a formal approach to the former Ipswich defender.

Redknapp is seeking to strengthen his squad as he looks to maintain Portsmouth's push for a European place and, despite the fine form of both Sol Campbell and Linvoy Primus, the former West Ham boss is understood to view Bramble as a potentially valuable addition.

Bramble has shown no desire to leave St James' Park, despite Newcastle's failure to initiate new contract talks in the first half of this season.

Roeder will be reluctant to see the 25-year-old leave given his lack of defensive alternatives and the marked improvement in Bramble's form over the last month.

But unless the current impasse is resolved within the next four weeks, the defender could yet be forced to hold formal discussions with Portsmouth in order to ensure that he is not left without a club come May.

Given the paucity of some of his previous performances in a black and white shirt, it would be ironic if Bramble, who made a £5m move from Portman Road in July 2002, were to leave during one of his most successful spells for the Magpies.

Newcastle have conceded just two goals in their last five games, with Bramble's performances proving particularly effective.

The imposing centre-half was one of his side's most impressive performers in last week's goalless draw with Eintracht Frankfurt but, unfortunately, his dominant display came at a cost.

Bramble injured his calf as Newcastle drew their final UEFA Cup group game, and the subsequent swelling has ruled him out of tomorrow's game with Reading.

"Titus got a kick on the calf in Germany on Thursday night and, while there was some stiffness on Friday, it did not seem as though there was going to be a problem," explained Roeder.

"After their exertions and efforts lately, I gave the first-team squad the weekend off and Titus went back home to Ipswich.

"But overnight on Friday his calf blew up to twice its normal size and he did the sensible thing by coming straight back to Newcastle so that Derek Wright (physio) could have a look at it.

"By doing so we are hoping that it will prevent Titus from being sidelined for too long."

Bramble's injury means that the Magpies will be without nine players as they look to haul themselves out of the bottom three tomorrow.

Kieron Dyer is expected to be absent after sustaining a deep gash on his leg in last month's 1-0 win over Portsmouth, while both Damien Duff and Scott Parker are still unavailable.

There was some better news yesterday, however, when Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro returned to full training. Carr has recovered from a toe injury, while Babayaro has shaken off the groin problem that kept him out of Newcastle's last six games.