Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, admits he was caught cold by George Weah's sudden availability on the transfer market this week.

He could pay the price as he battles against an injury crisis that threatens to severely undermine Arsenal's season in the next 10 days.

Wenger, Weah's mentor in their days together at Monaco in the French League, is already without Nigerian striker Kanu and Dutch star Dennis Bergkamp - and has little hope of either player being available until mid-February.

After the Liberian former World Footballer of the Year, now 33, joined Chelsea on loan from AC Milan this week - and scored the winner against Tottenham on his debut - he spoke eloquently about the debt he owed Wenger for his career, and said he would love to play for him again.

And Wenger admitted: "I know he would love to play for Arsenal but when I looked at the transfer market two weeks ago there was nothing to interest me. Then when I looked again this week it was too late. He had signed already for Chelsea."

But one player is relishing the prospect of trying to stop Weah when he faces his former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today.

Leicester defender Frank Sinclair believes the former world player of the year is still a potent force even though he has had only limited opportunities this season with AC Milan.

"It will be a great experience for me and the rest of our boys and one we are looking forward to. He is still one hell of a player."

At the other end of the table Newcastle boss Bobby Robson will allow no let up in pressure on his side as they continue their climb away from the Premiership trap-door.

United go into tomorrow's home clash with Southampton defending a 12-game unbeaten run at St James' Park and within touching distance of the relative safety of mid-table.

"The wheels can come off at any time in football," he said. "Gerard Houllier was here not so long ago with a new five-year contract and seven consecutive home wins, then they go to Tottenham and lose 1-0 and then they play Blackburn and they lose 1-0 and suddenly, it's gone sideways."

Houllier, himself, insists he will soldier on without a major plunge into the transfer market despite losing Robbie Fowler for the second time this season.

Michael Owen will come under intense scrutiny against Watford today. Any further breakdowns with his two hamstring problems will force Houllier's hand and trigger a desperate search for reinforcements.

Houllier said: "At the moment I am not contemplating anything in terms of bringing anyone in. Michael is back and I am quite happy about that."

Whether the once proud kings of Europe, who have fallen behind the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in their ability to compete financially for the very best players in the world, can afford a £10million-plus plunge into the market is now open to doubt.

Meanwhile, Ben Thatcher's chances of breaking into England's Euro 2000 squad have suffered a serious setback. Manager Kevin Keegan has quashed his international call-up after the Wimbledon left-back elbowed an opponent in the face.

Keegan had planned to include Thatcher in the England squad for the first time for the friendly at home to Argentina on February 23rd, even dubbing him the new Stuart Pearce.

Keegan said: "I think Thatcher, until last week, was someone we were looking at. I thought, there is one who probably would be in the next squad and probably will not now."