TERRY BUTCHER is backing Sir Bobby Robson to lead Newcastle United to UEFA Cup glory and repeat the feat he achieved with Ipswich Town 23 years ago.

Former Sunderland boss Butcher was the cornerstone of the Ipswich defence when they beat Dutch side AZ 67 Alkmaar over two legs.

Motherwell manager Butcher was back in the Netherlands on Thursday night in a media capacity to see Newcastle grab a priceless 1-1 draw against Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven in their highly-charged quarter-final first-leg clash at the Philips Stadion.

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas' equaliser in the final minute of the first half cancelled out the lead Serbian striker Mateja Kezman handed PSV with a stylish 14th-minute finish.

The return is at St. James' Park next Wednesday and the winners will face either Marseille or Inter Milan, with the French side holding a 1-0 lead from their home leg.

Butcher, who captained England under Robson, admits the fusion of experience and youthful exuberance in the United ranks reminds him of the 1981 Ipswich side and offers the Magpies a realistic chance of lifting the trophy in Gothenburg on May 19.

He said: "Can Newcastle win the UEFA Cup? When you've just drawn 1-1 in the quarter-final with the home leg to come, you're going to start thinking about that.

"And yes, I believe they are good enough. They've got good European experience these days and a good blend of players.

"If they get through, they'll have the respect of their semi-final opponents because of their results in Europe.

"It would be an amazing achievement for Bobby to win it 23 years apart. It's probably never been done before and won't be again.

"I'd love him to do it because I think the world of the man. Mind you, this tie isn't over. PSV are a very good team, as they showed in the Champions League when they were unlucky to be knocked out.

"But there's a European pedigree about Newcastle these days. The team bears all the hallmarks of a Robson side and I suppose it does remind me of the Ipswich team I played in.

"Bobby is always prepared to give youngsters a chance and he's done that at Newcastle.

"The team has good legs, plenty of pace and of course Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy in attack, who'll trouble anyone.

"But there's a good solid look about the side as well. To come away from PSV with a 1-1 draw after trailing early on and then withstand all that pressure is the sign of a decent team.

"Newcastle played very well after an uncertain start. There are a lot of young players in the team but they're growing up fast.

"That was a mature European performance away from home. I was impressed. At this level, you're always going to have to defend away, and they did that superbly.

"I thought Jonathan Woodgate and Titus Bramble were outstanding at the back, although Titus was very lucky not to be sent off.''

UEFA are expected to study video evidence before deciding whether centre-back Bramble should be punished for the elbow he landed on PSV midfielder Remco van der Schaaf in a goalmouth melee moments before Newcastle scored.

French referee Gilles Veissiere took no action, but Bramble could be banned for two matches, as skipper Shearer was in last season's Champions League campaign following a trial by video for lashing out at Inter's Fabio Cannavaro.

Bellamy was found guilty in similar fashion and suspended for three games last term for heabutting Dynamo Kiev's Tiberiu Ghioane.

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