Bellamy blow to Newcastle's title pursuit

The Newcastle United striker Craig Bellamy was last night floored on two fronts. The 22-year-old Welsh international, who has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks, will miss a crucial stage of the season after damaging a knee in Sunday's 1-0 win at Sunderland.

The player and his manager, Bobby Robson, are awaiting the results of a scan on his knee, but to rub salt into the wound, he was sent home suffering from suspected tonsilitis. That problem will soon pass, but the extent of the knee injury will have a bigger say in the destiny of his, and his club's, season.

Bellamy has been in superb form since his £6m summer move from Coventry City, following Robson's decision to back his judgement of a player who had endured a difficult year at Highfield Road. The former Norwich striker has repaid Robson's faith in superb style, contributing 14 goals and helping to revitalise Alan Shearer. His pace and ability to get behind defences have been major factors in Newcastle's Premiership challenge, and his loss for any extended period could prove damaging.

It is feared Bellamy will miss Saturday's visit of fellow title contenders Arsenal to St James' Park and the difficult trip to Liverpool four days later. Those two games are likely to have a major bearing on Newcastle's title chances, and Robson will struggle to find a like-for-like replacement. Carl Cort is now fit, but he, like the England Under-21 international Shola Ameobi, is a different type of player.

Lomana Lua Lua has pace but little experience, and Robson, who last season paired Kieron Dyer with Shearer in attack, may prefer instead to try something equally innovative with the Frenchman Laurent Robert. All depends on an injury update on the Welshman.

Meanwhile, Saturday's game against the Gunners could see United's French connection squaring up to a quartet of compatriots. Robert and Sylvain Distin both played in the victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and Olivier Bernard could also find himself in the squad as Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires head north looking for revenge.

All four were in the Arsenal side which went down 3-1 at Highbury on 18 December as the Magpies ended their London jinx at the 30th attempt. Robson's side will be hoping to complete a double to keep the pressure on the leaders Manchester United.

Robert will confident after providing the free-kick from which Nikos Dabizas clinched all three points at the Stadium of Light, although he admitted that he did not see enough of the ball for his liking. "Like all derbies, the game was very physical," the former Paris-St Germain winger said. "There was not a chance of attractive football because Sunderland constantly pressured us when we had the ball.

"Fortunately things improved a little in the second half and we were able to take the three points. It was the most important game of the season for the supporters and one we couldn't afford to lose. We were very pleased with the win. It allows us to keep up with the league leaders and we will be able to approach the Arsenal game with confidence."

The Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Crossley is in talks over a new contract, despite losing his place in the first team. The 32-year-old former Nottingham Forest man was dropped in favour of Mark Schwarzer for the FA Cup fifth-round tie with Blackburn earlier this month – and he admits disappointment turned to fury following a nine clean sheets in 16 appearances while the Australian international was out.

"The first thing was I was shocked when I was told," the Welsh international said. "Then after a couple of days, it was anger. Then I was emotionally upset because I thought I had done enough to warrant staying in the team. Now I just feel you've got to accept it and get on with things and wait for your next chance."

* Sunday's Worthington Cup final on ITV1 between Blackburn and Spurs was watched by an average audience of 5.6m, with a peak of 6.8m – better figures than for last year's FA Cup final.