Complacency musn't creep in, warns Speed

Midfield warrior Speed and two-goal skipper Alan Shearer led by example from the first whistle in Saturday's impressive 3-1 win against Charlton at St. James' Park.

The Magpies hold a 4-1 lead from the first leg of their fourth-round tie with La Liga strugglers Mallorca.

A tempestuous Tyneside tussle saw the Balearics side incur the sending-off of Edu Moya - one of three players suspended for the second leg - after eight bookings as they completely lost the plot.

Despite their three-goal cushion, Newcastle know they cannot afford any complacency at the Son Moix stadium as they seek to secure a quarter-final spot against either Auxerre or PSV Eindhoven.

Sir Bobby Robson's men have been emboldened by a weekend success which boosted their hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification at the expense of close rivals.

Robson hailed his side's committed performance as their best at home this season, but Speed insisted: "It should be like that every week. You have to try to win the 50-50 challenges in every game and maybe we haven't done that as much as we should have this season.

"It was fast and frantic in the first half against Charlton and in terms of closing people down and our workrate, it was very good. Hopefully we can carry that on from Saturday.''

At 34 and 33, Speed and Shearer are the most seasoned campaigners in the United camp, and the Welshman quipped: "It's probably because of our age that Alan and I have to start quickly in a game and then just hang on in there!

"We realised the importance of the Charlton game. If we'd lost, it would have been a disaster. We have nine games left in the League of great importance and if we put in the same sort of performances, we'll win more than we lose.''

Mallorca, fourth bottom in Spain's top-flight, are said to be "in turmoil'' following Sunday's 5-1 thrashing away to title challengers Valencia.

But Speed warned: "It's still a difficult game for us. They are 4-1 down and they can relax in a sense and play their football. They'll feel they have nothing to lose.

"Samuel Eto'o looked very sharp in the first leg and we'll have to watch him.

"I don't think the Valencia game will affect them. Valencia are flying high and it's like going to Manchester United or Arsenal in our League.

"That's why we have to be professional about the job. If we sit back and invite pressure, I think that will be to our detriment, so we have to play our natural game and cause them problems, but try to keep it tight at the same time and not throw too many men forward. Hopefully our experience will take care of that.

"I think last season's Champions League campaign is a bit of a memory now, but we won't be happy with only a quarter-final place in the UEFA Cup. We want to win this competition and if we do it will be a huge success.''

Speed's Wales teammate Craig Bellamy, who missed the Charlton game with hamstring trouble, flew to Palma yesterday with the rest of the squad.

But Robson could well stick with Shola Ameobi as Shearer's strike partner. "It's not 100 per cent that Craig will play,'' admitted Robson.

"He's nearer to playing and that's why he is in transit, and it's a boost that he's with us. He's an excellent player and he has been in scoring mood, but I thought Shola and Alan were a fantastic pairing on Saturday.''

Midfielder Kieron Dyer (hamstring), right-back Aaron Hughes (calf) and striker Michael Bridges (shin) have missed the trip.

Robson said: "Aaron is a tremendous boy and he'll be a miss at the back where we're a bit thin on numbers.

"But Titus Bramble is back and fully fit after his knee problem and he did all right when he came on against Charlton. Andy O'Brien moved across to right-back and he'll stay there for this game.''

Newcastle squad: Given, Harper, Caig, O'Brien, Bramble, Woodgate, Bernard, Elliott, Ambrose, Jenas, Speed, Viana, Robert, Shearer, Bellamy, Ameobi, Chopra, Taylor, Brittain, Orr.

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