HE might be facing the "worst injury crisis in Newcastle's history", but Glenn Roeder has insisted that his patched-up squad are capable of springing one of the surprises of the season when they travel to Chelsea tonight.

Despite Nicky Butt shaking off the virus that had forced him to leave training early on Monday morning, the Magpies will be without 12 first-team players as they look to secure their first Premiership victory at Stamford Bridge.

Emre and Nolberto Solano were the latest to join the ever-increasing injury list in the wake of Saturday's 3-1 win at Blackburn, forcing Roeder to turn to the likes of Giuseppe Rossi and Matty Pattison as he attempts to extend his side's eight-game unbeaten run.

With Chelsea still to lose a Premiership home game under Jose Mourinho, the Magpies' task would be stiff enough with a fully-fit squad. As it is, they will attempt to overcome the reigning Premiership champions with a starting line-up robbed of the majority of its leading lights.

"We know what people are saying," said Roeder, who is celebrating his 51st birthday today. "We have a poor record there and probably have the worst injury crisis in the club's history.

"Terry McDermott is older than all of us and he can't remember a worse injury crisis than the one we have here now.

"It's quite unbelievable. But the players believe, and rightly so, that they can go and put on a real fighting, battling performance and get something out of the game.

"We never once considered asking for a postponement because we want to get something out of this match."

Yet while Newcastle will travel to Stamford Bridge with hope, Chelsea are approaching this evening's game with a sense of expectation.

When asked to comment on Manchester United's eight-point Premiership advantage in the wake of Chelsea's weekend draw with Arsenal, Mourinho simply replied: "It will be down to five by the time Manchester United play next".

The implication was clear but, while Roeder maintains the game is far from a foregone conclusion, he was keen to avoid a war of words with one of his most flamboyant managerial rivals.

"I don't think what Mourinho said was directed at Newcastle," said the Magpies manager. "And I don't think it was directed at me.

"I think it was a heat of the moment comment because of his disappointment at dropping two points against Arsenal. Whoever they had been playing this week, I think he would have said exactly the same thing.

"In response, it would be absolutely stupid of me to say we will go there and win. But what I can guarantee is that, with the present mood of the players, we will go and make it very tough and fight them all over the pitch."

Newcastle's chances would undoubtedly have been enhanced, however, had one or more of their injured players been able to feature tonight.

Antoine Sibierski is hopeful of passing a late fitness test on the hamstring he injured on Saturday, but the remainder of United's casualties will remain on Tyneside.

Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker and Emre should all be available for this weekend's home game with Watford, but Titus Bramble remains in hospital after his calf problem took a turn for the worse last week.

The centre-half injured his calf in last month's goalless draw with Eintracht Frankfurt and, after a period of rest failed to solve the problem, doctors have been forced to drain the affected area. As a result, Bramble is unlikely to return to action for at least a month.

"Kieron started training on Monday," confirmed Roeder. "That's great news and he looks in fantastic shape. He will be fit for Saturday, and the same should be true of Scott Parker.

"Some of the soldiers are getting knocked down, but others are getting up and coming back.

"Unfortunately Titus' calf swelled up so badly that he was taken to hospital. A scan showed a big bruise on the inside of his calf, and that has been drained under anaesthetic. He will stay in hospital for a few more days."

Chelsea have no such concerns, although goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is unlikely to feature.

He missed Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal because of a leg muscle injury and, if he fails to recover Hilario will continue in goal.

Joe Cole is out for a month with a broken foot, but Mourinho is unlikely to rest too many more of his biggest names given Manchester United's eight-point advantage.

For once, it is Chelsea that are playing catch-up as Christmas approaches, but Roeder was still quick to dismiss suggestions that the home side will be the ones under pressure this evening.

"If I was in their position, I wouldn't be feeling pressure," he said. "They have won it from the front for two years, leading all the way. This time, they will have to do it by making a run from second spot. But the title race, thankfully for the neutral, is still wide open."