NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Shay Given has admitted that the Magpies are envious of the cup exploits of rivals Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

But the Republic of Ireland international reckons the North-East's big three could all be celebrating silverware this season in what would be the region's most successful campaign ever.

Boro won the first major trophy in their 128-year history when they lifted the Carling Cup at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium by beating Bolton almost a fortnight ago.

And Sunderland know that victory over either Millwall or Tranmere in an FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford three weeks tomorrow will not only ensure another North-East visit to the Welsh capital, but also secure a place in next season's UEFA Cup along with Boro.

As Arsenal and Manchester United will contest the other semi-final and are destined for Champions League qualification, Sunderland would be back in Europe for the first time since their Cup Winners' Cup adventure 31 years ago, regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final on May 22.

Newcastle, fourth in the Premiership, have their sights on a return to the Champions League.

But Given believes they can win the UEFA Cup - and the club's first significant trophy since the Fairs Cup triumph of 1969 - after taking a huge stride towards the quarter-finals with Thursday's 4-1 fourth-round first-leg victory over Real Mallorca at St. James' Park.

Given, who while with Blackburn had a successful loan spell at Sunderland in the mid-90s, said: "For sure, we're envious of the other two.

"We're arguably the biggest club in the North-East and Middlesbrough have won a cup and Sunderland are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and in Europe if they get to the final.

"But we're still in the UEFA Cup, we're in the driving seat and there's no reason why we can't win it.

"We've missed a couple of the big guns in the draw, so who knows? It could be the year for North-East teams - all three maybe!''

Given insists that the Geordies' stunning late fightback against Mallorca, after they had fallen behind in the second half, was a throwback to "the old days'' on Tyneside. "We've probably been stuttering through games recently,'' he said.

"We beat Valerenga here 3-1 on the night in the last round, but we didn't play that well.

"Against Mallorca, though, I felt that in the second half we were back to the old days, even last season, when we were steamrollering teams. Maybe they capitulated a bit in the second half, but you have to give credit to our forward play.

"Mallorca certainly looked a better side in the first half. When they scored against the run of play in the second half after Craig Bellamy had just gone close, we were all thinking the worst.

"Gary Speed gave the ball away on the halfway line and they punished us. It wasn't looking good then and had we lost 1-0 it would have been a disaster.

"This is our last chance of silverware this season and it was slipping away, but in the second half we showed a lot of spirit and turned it around. We must be hot favourites to go through.''

Given complained: "The pitch here doesn't help matters - it's shocking, it's like a beach at the moment. It's really bad for both teams and it's hard to play slick football.''

Newcastle visit Tottenham tomorrow and Given stressed: "It's a massive game for us.

"Birmingham are at home to Leicester and we all know Leicester have a few problems at the moment, so you have to fancy Birmingham even more.

"That means it's hugely important that we try to get three points. If we let it slip, I'm sure Birmingham will capitalise.''

Skipper Alan Shearer, who was involved in all four goals against Mallorca and put his side ahead with his 20th of the season, admitted it would be an "almighty cock-up'' if they lost the tie now.

"I was pleased we went on to get a fourth goal because it gives us that little cushion,'' he said.

"I got the second and it's always a landmark for a forward when you hit 20 goals, but it was more important that we won.

"It'll take an almighty cock-up for us now to throw this one away. It would be crazy when we're going there with a three-goal cushion.

"But with a player like Samuel Eto'o around, if we relax we'll get punished, so we have to go there and do a professional job.''

Mallorca had eight players booked by referee Alain Hamer before one them, left-back Edu Moya, was sent off seven minutes from time for a foul on Shearer which led to Newcastle's fourth goal.

"They seemed to lose their discipline and started to kick out,'' said Shearer.

"In the second half the ball wasn't in play for more than five or six seconds at a time with the referee blowing for everything. It was incredible really.''

Moya will be suspended for the second leg in Palma on Thursday week along with David Cortes and Gonzalo Colsa, who picked up their third yellow cards of the competition.

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