Craig Bellamy could be just one game away from re-igniting Newcastle's season.

The 24-year-old is almost ready to return to the first team for the crucial Barclaycard Premiership run-in and his side's UEFA Cup campaign.

Bellamy played 90 minutes for the first time in four months in Monday night's reserve game on his return from knee surgery.

Although Saturday's League trip to Birmingham may come too soon, he is itching for a chance to remind the Magpies faithful of exactly what he can do.

''It was a tough match, but I played the full 90 minutes,'' Bellamy said after the 0-0 reserve team draw with Everton.

''The conditions were difficult, but I was OK.

''Twisting and turning is my game and that's what it was all about. Birmingham City on Saturday may be too early, but I came through with no problems.''

Manager Sir Bobby Robson was in the crowd at Whitley Park and after marvelling at Bellamy's form in training last week, will not have been disappointed as he stepped up his work.

Indeed, he got more than he had expected from his £6m signing, and although he may need another game to build up match fitness, the fact that he is close is a major boost.

''It was a very satisfactory return for Craig, especially as he felt no reaction to the injury,'' Robson said. ''I'd hoped to get around 70 minutes from him, so the fact that he was able to last the full 90 minutes was a bonus.

''Overall he did pretty well and we're very pleased with his progress.''

Robson will take no risks with a man who has missed more than enough football through injury in his relatively short career to date.

The trip to St Andrew's is an important game, but it is followed by Leicester's visit to St James' Park on February 7, Blackburn away four days later and the derby clash with Middlesbrough on Tyneside.

Newcastle's UEFA Cup campaign resumes in Norway against Valerenga on February 26.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Shay Given heads into Saturday's trip to Birmingham insisting that even a top-four finish will not mean as much to the Magpies as lifting a trophy.

United are without silverware in 35 years and have not won a domestic honour since 1955, a wait which will continue after last weekend's 2-1 reverse at Liverpool.

''The League's no consolation for Saturday,'' said Given. ''There's no trophy for fourth spot, it's just getting back into the Champions League.

''If we get into fourth spot, it doesn't mean we've won something.

"That's the bottom line, we need to start winning something. There's no point talking about it.