NEWCASTLE assistant manager Terry McDermott has said their spluttering championship challenge will be reignited at Anfield tonight. The Tynesiders, 10 points clear at one stage, have seen their seemingly uncatchable title lead turned into a three-point, deficit on Manchester United, with Liverpool five points behind.

But Newcastle have two games in hand over the Old Trafford side, and as McDermott prepared to return to the ground he and Kevin Keegan graced as players, he refused to accept a run of one win in five games had been fatal.

"Of course tomorrow is a big game, but there's one thing for certain," said McDermott. "If we win eight games no one can do anything about it, and that's the way we've got to look at things.

"Liverpool will have a big part to say in the title, but whereas if they don't win they'll feel it's slipped away from them, we can afford to drop a couple of points."

McDermott, who supervised yesterday's training session in the absence of Keegan, swept aside questions over his side's appetite after their recent poor run.

"They're really up for it, really looking forward to the game," he said. "Everybody's saying they're under pressure, but that's all just pauper talk.

The lads have responded brilliantly, and I only hope they can take the way they've been training into tomorrow night.

"As a squad, the lads believe in themselves, and we believe in them. We feel we've got the best squad in the country and they feel it too.

"They know what they've got to do. We need a couple of results away from home and if we can get them we'll go on and win the championship.

"It will go right to the wire. I always said that, even when we had a big lead. It might not be all the way to the last game, but it will be close to that.

Rumour and speculation have surrounded the make-up of the Newcastle team following their defeat at Arsenal 10 days ago, with doubts over whether Keegan would keep faith with Warren Barton, recall Darren Peacock and play with three defenders, or even consider leaving out Peter Beardsley and playing Keith Gillespie wide right.

McDermott was giving nothing away - "Kevin hasn't told the players, so he's not going to tell the press," - but Beardsley did end training early after picking up an ankle injury.

Whatever system Keegan opts for, their main worry if they are to complete a hat-trick of wins over Roy Evans' men will be keeping Robbie Fowler quiet.

The England new boy's double in the FA Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa on Sunday took his tally for the season to 33, and McDermott accepted the size of the threat he posed.

"Robbie's had a tremendous two seasons and he's only going to get better, there's no question of that," said McDermott.

"It's not Robbie Fowler against Newcastle though. They've got John Barnes, Steve McManaman, Stan Collymore, a lot of winners.

"But then we've got a lot of winners too. You look at Les Ferdinand, Peter Beardsley, David Ginola, Tino Asprilla - quality!"

Liverpool's midfield quality has been increased by the return, after a 25-match absence with a hamstring injury, of Jamie Redknapp.

Redknapp will continue in place of the disappointed Michael Thomas, but Liverpool are likely to be without Neil Ruddock at the back. Steve Harkness is likely to come in.

Redknapp will continue in place of the disappointed Michael Thomas, but Liverpool are likely to be without Neil Ruddock at the back. Steve Harkness is likely to come in.

And the 22-year-old Redknapp is as desperate as any Anfield player to avenge the previous two defeats suffered at the hands of Newcastle.

Redknapp was outstanding as Liverpool dominated at St James' Park, only to lose to Steve Watson's injury-time strike. He was a frustrated spectator at the cup clash three weeks later.

He recalled: "I think they deserved to win in the League Cup because they played well that day and just about pipped us. But in the League I think we did deserve to win and they were very lucky.

"The match should be entertaining, I can't speak too highly of Newcastle."