CRAIG Bellamy has admitted that the FA Cup represents Newcastle's best chance of success this season, but the fiery Welshman has warned the United hierarchy that the club's Cup hopes could be scuppered by the St James' Park pitch.

Newcastle's reward for Sunday's 2-0 win over Yeading is a home game with Championship strugglers Coventry at the end of this month.

On paper, the tie represents a great chance of progressing to the last 16 but, on the humps and hollows of St James' Park, things could be a little less clear cut.

The Tyneside playing surface has never been right since a third tier was added to the top of the Milburn and Sir John Hall Stands in August 2000.

Sections of the surface were relayed last season, while the entire pitch was replaced in the summer before the inaugural NewcastleGateshead Cup saw four games played on it in the space of just two days.

Things have gradually got worse since then and, while St James' Park has generally proved to be something of a fortress, this season has seen the Magpies win just four of their 11 Premiership home games.

The sorry state of the playing surface has not helped and, just as significantly, Bellamy feels it may actually hinder his own recovery from injury.

The Wales international limped out of United's last home game - a 2-1 win over Birmingham - and fears his current shin problem could be worsened by the extra strains being placed upon him.

"I've got a problem with my bone," said Bellamy, who should resume his partnership with skipper Alan Shearer in Saturday's home game with Southampton.

"It's not my knees that are the problem at the moment - it's the bone at the top of my shin.

"It's just irritating at the moment, and the games that we're playing at St James' Park aren't helping me at all because of the state of the pitch.

"With the way I play, it's hard for me. I'm a sprinter and I like to turn my opponents so it's the worst possible surface for me. It doesn't suit me at all.

"The pitch is in really bad condition and that's something that we're having to deal with. You don't even have to play on it to be see how bad it is.

"I even feel sorry for the opposition players that are having to come and play at our ground.

"We are a footballing side and our game is based around trying to play good football, but it doesn't happen as much as we would like it to because of the state of our pitch.

"All of the humps and bumps are hardly ideal for the type of football we're trying to play."

The fourth round of the FA Cup will see Bellamy plotting the downfall of the club that helped to launch him into the big time.

The 25-year-old made 39 appearances for Coventry before moving to Tyneside in June 2001.

The two sides last met in the FA Cup in 1994 - goals from Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley giving the Magpies a 2-0 win - and the Sky Blues have failed to win on their last nine visits to Tyneside.

Newcastle will start as firm favourites with Coventry struggling in 20th in the Championship and Bellamy knows just how important a lengthy FA Cup run could be over the next five months.

"The FA Cup means a lot to us here at Newcastle," he said. "It's probably our main goal this season because it's probably our best chance of winning something.

"That's the way it is, but it's not ideal. I don't know what other people at this club feel, but Newcastle should be in the Champions League - it's as simple as that.

"But we have to be honest and say that the (pursuit of the) Champions League is over for us this year.

"I know we're still in Europe but, if I'm being perfectly honest, the UEFA Cup doesn't mean that much to me."

Meanwhile, Graeme Souness is closing in on the capture of Fulham winger Luis Boa Morte.

The Portuguese international, who played in the Cottagers' 1-1 draw with Watford at the weekend, has refused to rule out a move to the North-East.

Souness is yet to make an official approach for the 27-year-old, but the Magpies boss is understood to be lining up a deal that will see full-back Olivier Bernard moving in the opposite direction.

"There are things going on between my agent, Newcastle and Fulham," said Boa Morte. "But I'm just concentrating on playing football.

"I think Newcastle have spoken with Fulham and with my agent as well. They will sort out what is best for me. I am just concentrating on Fulham and leaving it to them.

"If I have to go to Newcastle then I'll go - and if I have to stay at Fulham, I'll stay."

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