Boumsong set to bounce back for United.

Byline: By Paul Gilder

Graeme Souness is confident Newcastle supporters will see Jean-Alain Boumsong back in a black-and-white shirt this weekend after insisting the unfortunate Frenchman will overcome a back problem in time to face Chelsea.

The pounds 8m defender travelled to Paris yesterday for a consultation with his osteopath and, although a hamstring injury has forced him to miss United's last three fixtures, his latest fitness complaint is not believed to be related.

Boumsong would not have played any part in tomorrow night's Uefa Cup tie at Heerenveen.

The 25-year-old is ineligible having played European football for Rangers this season ( but was scheduled to make his comeback at St James's Park this weekend.

Souness retains hope that that will still be possible.

"I don't think Jean-Alain is a doubt for Chelsea because it's not in his hamstring area," said a manager who is hopeful that Nicky Butt will pass a fitness test on his ankle in time to play in the Netherlands.

"He complained of having a stiff back and I think that he just needs a bit of manipulation there. He had to leave training with a bit of pain and he went to Paris to see an osteopath he has confidence in.

"We have a very good medical team here but I think that if the foreign players have been treated by someone for a number of years, I'm happy to let them go and see the same person."

Butt twisted his ankle in training but, although the problem is not thought to be serious, that two of his first-choice players suffered injuries so soon after he declared a clean bill of health is a major frustration for Souness.

A great deal rides on tomorrow's fixture at the Abe Lenstra Stadion and, although he is confident in the abilities of his players, a manager who spent last week working with his squad at a training camp in Dubai knows failure will not be tolerated.

"I'm fully aware that if we don't do well against Heerenveen, there will be certain people who point to the trip to Dubai and say that is the reason. But that is the price on the ticket in this business," he added last night.

"We're looking to go there and make sure we do a job. We have to come away from Heerenveen with them knowing that we are a good side. We have to let them know that when they come to our stadium, they will face a difficult task."