CHRIS MARSDEN is one of three Saints stars who are doubtful for Sunday's televised clash with Newcastle even though X-Rays have given him the all-clear.

Saints feared the battling midfielder had broken a toe against Leeds but hospital tests have revealed there is only severe bruising.

However he is still sore and is touch-and-go to face the Magpies along with Jason Dodd (collar bone) and Matthew Le Tissier (Achilles).

Manager Dave Jones said: "It is good news that there is no break but at this stage Chris is still doubtful although he has a chance.

"Jason has popped his collarbone while Matt is still struggling with the Achilles which has been bothering him for a few weeks.

"At the moment all three are major doubts but we are hopeful that with the extra day we might just get away with it."

If Le Tissier fails to recover from the persistent problem, it will give a major morale boost to the Magpies who dread the sight of him.

The Saints striker has scored four times in the last five matches he has played against Newcastle at The Dell as well as notching two match-winners at St James' Park.

Meanwhile Newcastle United appear to have reached a dead end in their bid to sign Belgian goalkeeper Geert de Vligier. United chairman Freddy Shepherd headed a party which flew out to Brussels in a bid to clinch a £500,000 deal for the 27-year-old Anderlecht keeper.

But a club source revealed that the part had returned empty-handed, and that there seems little chance of further progress.

"They were there yesterday but they flew back this morning and there is nothing to report,"' he said. "We don't expect any further developments in that direction."

De Vligier has been a target for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and Premiership rivals Leicester City.

But the latter dropped out of the race when they signed England international and former Saints favourite Tim Flowers.

Manager Ruud Gullit is determined to have strength in depth on the goal-keeping front, and with Republic of Ireland international Shay Given out for three more weeks with a knee injury, one-time Sunderland player Lionel Perez is currently the only realistic cover from first-choice-keeper Steve Harper.

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