NEWCASTLE UNITED'S break from the strains of Premiership football has been welcomed by evergreen midfielder Gary Speed.

The 34-year-old has played every minute of the Magpies' last 12 matches, and has only failed to start three of their 38 games so far this season.

But, after an exhaustive period, Speed will be able to take time out this weekend and reflect on what has been a contentious period.

Skipper Alan Shearer's resting in Valerenga in the UEFA Cup was followed by a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth in the league last weekend - when Lomana LuaLua infamously struck a late equaliser.

And, as Newcastle have been knocked out of the FA Cup, Sir Bobby Robson has been forced to give his players time at home ahead of the fourth round UEFA Cup clash with Real Mallorca on Thursday.

Speed said: "Personally I'm delighted we've got a few days off. I've played almost every game this season and I was feeling it a bit towards the end of the Valerenga match.

"I need a rest now and I'll make the most of a weekend off. I wish we were still in the FA Cup - don't get me wrong - but for me it's a good time to have a break and recharge the batteries.

"I'll come back on Monday refreshed and raring to go. A few days off will do me the world of good. I know we're looking pretty stretched in midfield but that's not a problem. We have a big squad and players are keen to take their chance."

Speed believes Newcastle's first leg clash with Mallorca at St. James' Park next week could have been worse.

Barcelona, Inter Milan and Valencia are among those still in the draw and, although he is cautious about his side's chances, the Welshman is convinced Newcastle can make progress against Spanish opposition.

"We showed in the Champions League last season that we are capable of beating the best and that has to be the blueprint for us at this stage of the season," said Speed, part of the squad that has overcome Valerenga, NAC Breda and Basel in previous rounds.

"It's not a case of those games motivating us more - although any match against a Primera Liga side is bound to get you going - because we are up for every match. What we need to do is click and I'm sure that will happen sooner rather than later."

Newcastle still occupy the fourth Champions League place but they are only two points ahead of fifth-placed Charlton, and three in front of Liverpool and Birmingham who both have a game in hand.

Robson takes his side to Tottenham a week tomorrow and Speed said: "We're not playing well at the moment and there's no secret there. But the thing we have to focus on is the fact that we've only lost two games in 20, so we must be doing something right.

"We didn't play well against Valerenga but we made it through to the fourth round. Now we face Mallorca and I think everyone accepts we'll have to improve.

"We're managing to fight our way through a bad patch by making sure we're difficult to beat but we'll only start playing well through hard work. It's a long time now since we played as well as we can but it's important that we don't allow draws to become defeats.

"We know our luck won't last forever and it's about time we started to pull our socks up and give our supporters the performances they deserve."

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