By Matthew Jones
August 22 2002

Manager Sir Bobby Robson has warned his injury-plagued £7m striker Carl Cort that time is running out for him to prove himself at Newcastle. Manager Sir Bobby Robson has warned his injury-plagued £7m striker Carl Cort that time is running out for him to prove himself at Newcastle.

Cort's two years at St James' Park have been blighted by a string of injuries, the latest of which is a groin strain which has minimised his involvement in Robson's first team this summer.

But the 24-year-old former Wimbledon striker has also struggled to impress United fans during the 23 league appearances he has made for the club when fit.

That fact has prompted Robson to admit: "It's payback time for Carl. He has to start thinking about giving the club something back soon because his injuries have meant he has done very little in the last two years.

"I'd like to think he'll overcome his latest injury sooner rather than later.

"It's not serious and I'm hoping he gets into shape, applies himself and begins to repay the investment we've made in him."

Cort has seen Craig Bellamy race ahead of him in the strikers' pecking order at St James' Park and now Lomana Lua Lua also seems to be higher in Robson's estimation.