Souness in cash plea as ‘curse’ continues

GRAEME SOUNESS is poised to ask for transfer funds this month to cope with the absence of Michael Owen as his Newcastle players blamed a “curse” on the club for their latest injury setback.

Owen is set to be sidelined for up to three months with a fractured metatarsal bone in his right foot following a collision with Spurs keeper Paul Robinson during his side’s 2-0 defeat at White Hart Lane.

The striker has vowed to regain fitness in time for the World Cup finals, but the greatest impact will be on Newcastle rather than England as the Magpies attempt to cope in his absence.