Robson struggles to stay downbeat

Newcastle v Leverkusen On TV: TV3, UTV (highlights)By Michael WalkerCraig Bellamy is suspended, Jermaine Jenas is injured and Jonathan Woodgate is cup-tied in Europe. These first-choice players will not be playing for Newcastle United tonight against Bayer Leverkusen at St James' Park.

But they are three reasons why Bobby Robson said yesterday that the squad he has built in the past three years is potentially the best he has constructed in 35 years as a manager. Considering the breadth and class of Robson's experience, it was some compliment. But it is precisely that, the breadth and class at Newcastle, that so excites him.

"I had a great team at Ipswich but I didn't have 20 of them," Robson said. "I had 14, I've got more than 14 now. I had a great squad in Barcelona, gee whizz, I had some players there. The likes of Ronaldo, Figo, Guardiola, Blanc.

"But this is the best squad I have had in England, it is potentially the best squad I've had. The quality has gone up in the three years; we're at another level. I watched my squad train today and it was so good we should have asked for admission money."

Robson then reined in his optimism. Having won 3-1 with ease in Leverkusen last Tuesday, Newcastle are expected to rattle up a big score tonight against the German club.

The manager had earlier spoken of his determination, calling the game "must win", but his realism returned once he had finished singing about his squad. For while Newcastle think of themselves as likely contenders, they have still applied, along with Leeds United and Aston Villa, for next season's InterToto Cup. That is an insurance scheme covering unexpected subsidence. It is also a sign of continuing humility.

"It's important to emphasise that we haven't done anything yet, that things are only coming to fruition over the past couple of months. In three years 30 players have gone and we now have a good mix - of type of player, of character - the blend is right. But we must keep our feet on the ground."

Alan Shearer returns tonight after a two-match ban and will displace Lomana LuaLua from last week's team. Shola Ameobi, who scored the first two in the BayArena, will partner Shearer.

What the two might do to a Leverkusen defence, which was pitiful in the first game, hardly bears thinking about. Thomas Horster is expected to field a weakened team as last season's European Cup finalists concentrate on league survival.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Given; Griffin, O'Brien, Bramble, Hughes; Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert; Shearer, Ameobi.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN (4-5-1): Butt; Zivokovic, Kaluzny, Kleine, Placente; Neuville, Basturk, Simak, Ramelow, Babic; Franca.

Referee: C B Larsen (Denmark).