Robson warns Magpies against further European heartache

NEWCASTLE manager Bobby Robson has warned his players to remember the pain of their Champions League nightmare as they attempt to extend their stay in the UEFA Cup.

The Magpies entertain Basle in the second leg of their second round tie tonight having secured a vital 3-2 first leg advantage at the St Jakob Park Stadium three week's ago.

However, neither Robson nor the 11 men who will play against Christian Gross' men will take anything for granted after seeing their Champions League dreams ripped to shreds by Partizan Belgrade.

United returned from Serbia in August with a precious 1-0 lead, courtesy of Nolberto Solano's strike at the Partizan Stadium, and confident of progression into the big time.

However, Lothar Matthaus had different ideas and it was his side who eventually cashed in after a 1-0 win and a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at St James' Park.

"It's not all over," Robson said. "We're not complacent about it. We've been in a similar position already this season and failed to take advantage of what appeared to be somewhat a promising situation.

"That's all this is. There's work to do. I'm sure Christian Gross thinks that the tie isn't over. He's got nothing to lose and we're aware of that. But we're also prepared for it.

"We're aware how disappointing it was for us at the end of the day. We had two hard matches against them we didn't go out to a duff side, and neither is Basle. They've proven that already.

"But we've been forewarned and if you're forewarned, you should be forearmed and we're very keen not to let it happen again," he said. However, while he wants his players to bear the pain of that night in mind, Robson insists he will not remind them of it too often. "The players are aware of it and the most important thing for the players is that they are aware of it and that they do everything in their power not to slip up," he said. Robson has said that he might

rest central defender Jonathan Woodgate, who returned to action on Saturday after 11 games on the sidelines following surgery on a hernia.

United travel to play Wolves in the Premiership less than 48 hours after the Basle game, and with Andy O'Brien suspended for that game, but back in contention for tomorrow night after a bout of illness at the weekend, he could get the nod.

However, the 70-year-old has insisted he will not tinker with his side and intends to send out his strongest possible team, perhaps Woodgate apart, for a game which means so much to the club.