Graeme Souness maintains he is still the man to manage Newcastle - but has spoken of his frustration at the injury crisis which is threatening to wreck Newcastle's season.

Midfielder Scott Parker yesterday underwent surgery to address a knee problem, the second player to attend hospital this week after Michael Owen's toe operation, which will keep him out of action for up to three months.

Emre remains a doubt with hamstring trouble, Kieron Dyer, Steven Taylor, Stephen Carr and Craig Moore are all injured and Lee Bowyer is suspended. Souness said: "Eight of our top men are missing and there isn't a club in the country who could withstand that much damage to squad - not Chelsea, Arsenal nor Manchester United.

"The fact is we have some of best players at club not playing for us - and they haven't for most of the season.

"But if we had everyone fit it would have still been a rollercoaster, as it has been for everybody except Chelsea."

The Scot says he can handle the pressure at St James's Park, even though some sections of the crowd voiced their frustration with things during Monday's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

He continued on Sky Sports News: "Sir Alex Ferguson took seven years to win a Championship - and I've been here 16 months.

"I spoke to the chairman (Freddy Shepherd) yesterday and our relationship is fine - we spoke about the possibility of signing new players and other things we'd like to do.

"Circumstances prevail here which don't prevail at any other club - I won't go into detail - which make managing Newcastle very difficult.

"There is enormous pressure on the players - and they are the most important people at the club. Not the chairman, manager or the board of directors.

"The supporters are desperate for success but they must understand that every player wants to win - no-one goes out on the pitch to make a mistake - and right now the players need help from every angle."

Souness maintains the spirit in his squad is good and does not regret allowing several players to leave during his reign.

He continued: "It was a difficult dressing room but I've sorted it out - we've got rid of some dodgy characters and have a very strong dressing room now.

"Most players wanted to leave - only one or two I would have preferred to stay - and I brought in some very good players.

"But unfortunately this season the injury situation has killed us."