Souness waiting on injured trio

Souness has come under pressure after a poor start to the season

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness is still sweating on the fitness of midfielders Kieron Dyer, Emre and Nolberto Solano ahead of the visit of Manchester City.

Souness believes the trio's return could turn round his side's poor start to the season but they may not be fit in time for City's visit on Saturday.

"I would say that Dyer, Solano and Emre are still all doubtful," said Souness.

"We will know better in a couple of days but at this moment in time I would say that all three are only 50-50."

Both Dyer and Emre are struggling to shake off hamstring problems while Solano was carrying a thigh strain when he re-joined the club from Aston Villa in August.

What we really need now is to keep the place buzzing by going on a run Newcastle boss Graeme Souness

With Scott Parker serving a suspension and forward Albert Luque sidelined with a torn hamstring, Souness was forced to play Amdy Faye, Lee Clark, Lee Bowyer and Charles N'Zogbia in midfield during Sunday's win over Blackburn.

But Souness is desperate to have all his first-choice players available so he can build some momentum.

"We were just about down to the bare bones on Sunday, so at least we will get a few more bodies back for Saturday," said Souness.

"What we really need now is to keep the place buzzing by going on a run."

The victory at Blackburn stopped Newcastle hitting the bottom of the Premiership and also ended the club's dismal run of just one league win in 15 games.