THE likelihood of Newcastle playing in the much-derided Intertoto Cup increased last night after UEFA confirmed that two berths in the competition have been reserved for English teams.

Three Premiership clubs have expressed an interest in taking part in the summer competition, which runs on consecutive weekends from June 18.

Newcastle have yet to confirm whether they are one of those three clubs. But with qualification for Europe via the Premiership looking increasingly unlikely, it would be a major surprise if chairman Freddy Shepherd had not insisted on keeping the club's options open.

The Magpies have played in the Intertoto Cup once before and, while a final defeat to French side Troyes saw them miss out on the UEFA Cup then, the carrot of European competition could see the club's players reporting for pre-season training in mid-June.

While the draw for the first three rounds will be held on April 11, the FA will not have to confirm which sides will be taking part until the end of May.

It has been accepted that the highest ranked side who have not already qualified for Europe will enter at the third round stage, with the second English team coming in a round earlier, along with Scottish Premier League outfit Hearts, who have also indicated their intention to take part if they cannot secure a UEFA Cup berth.

Although the Intertoto Cup has not proved popular with English clubs down the years, it does provide three places in the UEFA Cup for the winners, a prize Fulham benefited from in 2003.

If both English entrants follow Fulham's lead, it would take the Premiership's European entrants to nine - four in the Champions League and three in the UEFA Cup are already secure.

There is the possibility of one more through UEFA's Fair Play system and yet another should either Middlesbrough or Newcastle win the UEFA Cup this season and fail to secure a European berth through any other means.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed Chelsea's Carling Cup triumph over Liverpool has provided an extra incentive for the clubs battling for a top-six spot.

Boro occupy sixth spot, with Bolton, Tottenham and Charlton within striking distance.

If the Teessiders hold on to their current position they will land the UEFA Cup spot that was on offer to the League Cup winners but has now reverted back to the Premiership.