Bridges will prove critics wrong.

Byline: By John Gibson 

Top scout Jack Hixon today backed his protege Michael Bridges to beat the knockers and become an outstanding success with Newcastle United.

"Cream will always rise to the top," insisted Hixon, who discovered both Bridges and Alan Shearer.

"I've heard all the talk that Michael is injury-prone and not fit but it simply isn't true.

"He's had two serious injuries in his career that have unfortunately taken a huge chunk out of it. He hasn't been injured time after time with different niggles and knocks.

"And since August 1 he's been as fit as a fiddle, dying to get going again. Now he can at Newcastle - and he hasn't just got a month to prove himself but three months. That's enough time for Bridges to prove to everybody what he can do."

Hixon went on: "Michael is a flair player, a natural player with immaculate control off both feet. He has the inherent ability to come off defenders and give himself different delivery options. And his running off the ball is different to that of the majority.

"The lad is a class apart and he can play in more than one position. Bridges is comfortable wide, tucked in behind the front two or alongside the main striker. He provides a variety of options.

"What ought to be remembered is that he's only 25 years of age so the bulk of his career is in front of him.

"Newcastle deserve great credit for sticking with Michael and continuing to chase him despite everything. Now they could be rewarded.

"Bridges had served his tenure with Leeds. It was time for him to move on and he's always wanted to play for Newcastle. He's a local lad.

"For me it's a dream come true to have Alan Shearer and Michael Bridges together at Newcastle.

"Both of them are terrific players. Quality performers and quality people."

Bridges on loan for the rest of the season has been United's only signing during the transfer window.

Six players have left - Nobby Solano, Carl Cort, Lomana LuaLua, Nicos Dabizas and the Caldwell brothers Steve and Gary.

It's been a deliberate plan by the club to "tidy up" a top-heavy squad after losing more than pounds 10 million in revenue through failure to qualify for the Champions League.

The official line is that five of the six players weren't first-team regulars but it's the departure of the sixth - Solano - which has angered fans.

The feeling at the club is manager Sir Bobby Robson has still been left with plenty of cover for the rest of the season - six strikers and nine midfielders among them.

Meanwhile, Brian Kerr, the only Scottish player left at United following Steve and Gary Caldwell's departure, is poised to follow them out of St James' Park with a number of First Division clubs tracking the midfielder.