SPORTING Lisbon goalkeeper Ricardo will be first in line for a penalty shoot-out this weekend - but only if manager Jose Peseiro lets him.

The Portuguese number one broke English hearts this summer when he saved Darius Vassell's spot kick in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 before calmly strolling forward to beat David James to send the hosts through to the last four.

Sporting take on Dutch side Feyenoord in the opening game of the Newcastle Gateshead Cup this lunchtime and, with four games due to take place in the next 48 hours, any match ending in a draw will go straight to penalty kicks.

Ricardo proved his mettle in the cauldron of the Estadio du Luz last month, but will still seek permission from his manager before putting himself on the spot again.

"I'll have to ask our coach about that," admitted Ricardo, who clashed with John Terry in the build-up to Sol Campbell's controversial disallowed goal in Lisbon.

"A lot of people think my penalty against England was a last-minute decision, but I'd talked with Luiz Felipe Scolari (Portugal coach) about the question of the penalties.

"It wasn't the first time for me because I've done it for my club, but the coach told me that the first five penalties were already distributed. I said I'd take the next free one that came up and that's what I did."

Today's game will be the first time Ricardo has come into contact with English fans since Euro 2004 and he expects to be given a rough ride, even though he is facing Dutch opposition.

"I know very well how I'm remembered in England because of that memorable match," he said. "I know that the emotions felt in that match will never be forgotten."

This weekend's tournament provides the ideal opportunity for clubs to bed in their new signings, but Sporting's latest acquisition will be conspicuous by his absence at St James' Park.

The Portuguese side have signed Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana on a year-long loan deal, but the terms of his contract mean he will not face his permanent employers this weekend.