NEWCASTLE United have slammed as "totally unacceptable'' UEFA's decision to allow Valerenga to nominate Rosenborg's Lerkendal Stadium as a second-choice venue for the first leg of next month's UEFA Cup third-round tie.

United yesterday confirmed that they made an official approach to European football's governing body on Monday, urging an urgent rethink and outlining fears for the safety of Sir Bobby Robson's squad and travelling fans.

Oslo-based Valerenga have admitted that the prospect of heavy snow means there is every likelihood their Ullevaal Stadium won't be able to stage the game on February 26.

And Newcastle are demanding that a new venue be found where there is "more than an even chance'' of the match being played.

The row erupted last month when the Norwegians originally asked UEFA to consider the possibility of the tie being played indoors on an artificial pitch at the 5,000-capacity Vallhall arena, if their own ground was unfit.

Both Newcastle and UEFA rejected the idea and, while Valerenga studied the option of switching the game to Denmark, Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd revealed that Middlesbrough had offered the Riverside Stadium as an alternative venue.

But Newcastle have now been informed that UEFA have agreed to Valerenga's request to stage the tie at Rosenborg's stadium in Trondheim, roughly halfway to the Arctic Circle, should Oslo be snowbound.

United, who say they are "awaiting a response'' from UEFA, yesterday issued a strongly-worded statement, which read: "The club are doing everything possible to resolve what is proving a difficult issue. Regrettably, we are being hampered by circumstances beyond our control.

"The club received notification on Friday from the English Football Association that UEFA had decided this match would be played in the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.

"UEFA further confirmed that, in the event the game could not take place in Oslo, Rosenborg's Lerkendal Stadium in Trondheim, 500km and six-and-a-half hours away by train, would be the second-choice venue the next day.

"Newcastle United immediately raised objections with UEFA with regard to both of these decisions, which ignored all the issues the club has raised in previous correspondence and which place both United and travelling supporters at risk in numerous ways.

"The fact that Valerenga have been required to name a second-choice venue clearly demonstrates that UEFA are far from confident the game will take place on February 26 because of the historical weather conditions and fixture history in Oslo during that month.

"This is a view also held by Valerenga which they have verbally confirmed to United on a number of occasions.

"United have told UEFA that their instructions are totally unacceptable, given Trondheim's location, and have again repeated their original suggestion that the first leg is played in a location where it can go ahead without the clearly evident difficulties that both existing proposals carry for both sets of fans.

"The requirement for an additional journey and accommodation would result in possibly insurmountable travel difficulties, let alone unnecessary additional travel and accommodation expenses for supporters.

"On this basis, and taking into account the concerns shared by all three parties (UEFA, Valerenga IF and Newcastle United) the club are in no doubt that UEFA should establish a venue where the game has more than an even chance of taking place on February 26, and have once again urged them to do so.

"We naturally respect the home advantage of Valerenga and their fans, but the weather factors cannot be ignored.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle received some good news when it was revealed that midfielder Lee Bowyer is unlikely to require surgery for his hip problem.

Manager Robson said: "Lee is back in training and it does not look as though he is going to need any surgery, which is great news for us and him.

"But he has not done anything at all for three weeks and his return to full fitness will be gradual."

Bowyer, who has not figured since the 1-1 draw at Wolves in November, could make his comeback in the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool at Anfield a week on Saturday.

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