GRAEME Souness has insisted he has no concerns over Nicky Butt's temperament despite warning his players to expect a rough reception as they look to reach the UEFA knock-out stage in Sochaux tonight.

Butt will make his second European appearance for the Magpies in the Stade Auguste Bonal, and the Newcastle boss is confident this evening's outing will last considerably longer than his first.

The England international was on the field for just 133 seconds of September's first round win over Israeli minnows Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin before he was sent off following an uncharacteristic scuffle with opposition skipper Abas Suan.

That dismissal earned a three-match ban but, with tonight's French opponents likely to adopt their usual all-action style, Souness is confident former Champions League winner Butt will keep his head.

"He will feel like he's let the lads down a bit," admitted the United boss, who has guided his side to four European wins out of four this season. "But he's back with us now.

"I'm sure he will learn from his mistake against the Israeli team - you never stop learning in football.

"At the time you can shake your head and be disappointed but, looking back, I think even the most saintly of players could be excused for getting involved in some of the antics that were going on that night.

"He's vastly experienced. He's come from Manchester United and I believe that the majority of people there have been schooled and educated properly. The players who have spent a lot of time at Manchester United have not spent time there because they've been bad pros.

"They've been kept there because they're good professionals and good players - he is both of those things."

With Sochaux currently third in the French top-flight, Newcastle can expect their toughest European test of the season this evening.

Guy Lacombe's side cruised to a 3-1 win at Monaco last weekend, a result which looks all the more impressive in the light of Liverpool's recent Champions League defeat in the millionaire's playground.

A draw will be good enough to guarantee United a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup and, while Souness will be not be sending his side out to defend, the Scot will be satisfied if they return home with a point.

"Sochaux will be a very difficult team to play against," he said. "I can't emphasise that enough, because they play in an English style and will press the ball right across the pitch.

"They have a very aggressive coach who wants his players to be challenging and spiky in everything they do.

"They will try to play at a high tempo and be quite aggressive in the way they play football.

"But that's the way I think football should be played, and I like their style.

"We will have our hands full. They went to Monaco last weekend and claimed a victory - something that Liverpool couldn't do on Tuesday night.

"This will not be an easy game for us and, if we can come back here without losing, I will be delighted."

Tonight's game will be Newcastle's fifth European tie of the season and, with the format of the UEFA Cup having changed, the eventual winners will have played 15 games by the time they lift the trophy in Lisbon.

The competition is now actually more convoluted than the equally-cumbersome Champions League, and Souness feels it has suffered as a result.

"Personally, I don't like it and I think the public prefer knock-out competitions," said the United boss. "You just have to look at the gates for the Champions League to see that.

"It's only in our country that we get full houses for the early stages of the Champions League - in Spain and Italy they are poorly attended.

"The public are telling us they prefer knock-out competitions, but UEFA are the ones who organise these things and they think the current system is the best way forward. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out why."

With Sunday's crucial Premiership clash with high-flying Everton looming, Souness is set to make wholesale changes to his starting XI in France.

Darren Ambrose and James Milner are both poised to make rare appearances in midfield, with Jermaine Jenas and Lee Bowyer likely to be rested.

Jenas' absence means Robbie Elliott will take over the captain's armband as he partners Titus Bramble at centre-half with Ronny Johnsen ineligible.

First-choice skipper Alan Shearer is expected to be out for another fortnight, so Souness is expected to hand Shola Ameobi only his third start of the season alongside the in-form Craig Bellamy.

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