Solano Looks To Dyer Partnership

"Kieron was very happy to hear I'd signed for Newcastle again," explained a Solano. "We enjoyed some great times on the pitch with United and we have always worked well together. He's had too many injuries but he knows where the problems are and he's being more careful. He's a top player but only if he's playing football."

"With his pace Kieron's a real weapon. He might not be a great passer of the ball but he works hard on that part of his game and knows his strengths. I have very little pace but I can pick him out with a pass and so together we work well as a team. We have different qualities but it's no good packing a team with all of the same players.

"Scott Parker and Lee Clark are different again. So is Emre and so is Luque. There is a good range of talent across the middle of the park."

Souness has already had his fingers badly burned this season by bringing back previously injured players before they are ready for the rigours of competitive football.

"Emre and Kieron are the more likely to come back of the three," explained Souness. "Nobby was going great but suffered a setback in training last week. We might soon have some decisions to make. As a manager you want to have to make decisions, as hard as that may be at times.

"When I hark back to my youth I was a lot more hot-headed and when I was left out I couldn't see beyond my own position. Now with a few more years behind me I can see the bigger picture."