NEWCASTLE and trophies don't exactly go together, so expecting the Magpies to win two in the space of a month was always going to be too much.

But, while the Newcastle Gateshead Cup will not sit alongside the United Christian Service Charity Cup in the St James' Park trophy cabinet, Sir Bobby Robson will hope yesterday's 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon acts as a stepping stone to some more meaningful silverware over the next nine months.

Patrick Kluivert, Nicky Butt and James Milner were all involved as United played their penultimate pre-season game and, while there are still causes for concern ahead of the new Premiership campaign, the weekend's two games have helped Robson's side regain the sharpness they will need if they are to improve on last season's disappointments.

Injuries continue to mount - Laurent Robert and Darren Ambrose joined the ranks of the walking wounded after Saturday's 4-2 win over Rangers - but the appearance of Kluivert and Butt has given fresh impetus to United's preparations.

Shola Ameobi is one of the players most at risk from the arrival of Kluivert as, despite signing a new five-year deal earlier this summer, the adopted Geordie now finds himself as the club's fourth-choice striker.

He started yesterday in the absence of the rested Craig Bellamy and wasted no time in reminding Sir Bobby Robson what he has to offer.

Just 37 seconds had elapsed when he picked up the ball from James Milner and, without breaking stride, he produced a rasping left-footed drive that Sporting goalkeeper Ricardo acrobatically turned over the top.

That was about as good as things got before the break for Newcastle though as, despite enjoying plenty of possession, the home side were unable to break down a well-organised Sporting rearguard.

Milner was their liveliest spark, displaying a drive and desire occasionally lacking in his left-wing rival Robert.

The former Leeds youngster can play on either flank and, while his crossing occasionally let him down yesterday, his versatility will be a welcome addition to a Newcastle midfield that has lost Gary Speed and Hugo Viana this summer.

Butt has also arrived to plug the gap but, while Robson will face some difficult choices before settling on his chosen midfield for the Premiership opener with Middlesbrough, it increasingly looks as though his defence will pick itself.

Jonathan Woodgate is yet to appear in pre-season, while Andy O'Brien was also missing yesterday after picking up the same eye infection that has laid Shay Given low.

That allowed Robbie Elliott to enjoy a rare start in a black and white shirt and, while the 30-year-old looked competent enough alongside Titus Bramble, his forced appearance was far from ideal given the proximity of the new season.

Neither centre-half could have done much about Sporting's winner in the 41st minute - a rasping drive from Portuguese midfielder Rodrigo Tello that scorched into the top right-hand corner of Steve Harper's net.

But Elliott's promotion from the reserve ranks merely underlined the paucity of options open to Robson given Woodgate's latest injury setback and his failure to sign a full-back.

The United boss has signed a striker of course, and the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the 60th-minute introduction of Kluivert.

The Dutch international is still some way short of full match fitness but after replacing Alan Shearer - perhaps a poignant foretaste of what is to come - he produced a determined run and cross down the left-hand channel that Ameobi could only head straight at Ricardo.

A dream start looked to be on the cards as Kluivert looped a header goalwards three minutes from time, but centre-half Anderson Polga intervened.

Newcastle (4-4-2): Harper, Hughes, Bramble, Elliott, Bernard, Brittain (Chopra 69), Bowyer, Dyer (Butt 50), Milner, Ameobi, Shearer (Kluivert 60).

Sporting Lisbon (4-4-2): Ricardo, Garcia, Beto, Polga, Rui Jorge, Rogerio, Castro, Moutinho (Hugo 66), Tello, Niculae (Pinilla 61), Douala (Sergio 61).

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