SIR BOBBY ROBSON is tonight facing a dilemma over whether to risk Jonathan Woodgate in Newcastle United's UEFA Cup second-round decider with FC Basel at St James' Park.

Robson yesterday hinted that he could rest the England centre-back because of the fear of aggravating the hernia problems which forced him to miss two months of the season.

Woodgate, who underwent a double hernia operation, made an impressive comeback in Saturday's 3-0 home win over Manchester City, but Robson is anxious not to push his £9m defender too hard.

The Magpies' manager is also conscious of safeguarding his central defensive options, with Andy O'Brien banned for this Saturday's game at Wolves.

Robson confirmed that O'Brien will line up against Christian Gross's side this evening as United take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of the tie.

That leaves Robson with a straight choice between Woodgate or Titus Bramble for the other centre-half berth.

"I'm not going to tinker with the team too much,'' Robson said last night. "I will play what I consider my best 11, but I just have to think about Jonathan.

"He's had a double hernia and these things can recur. Jonathan did well on Saturday after two months out, but I have to consider whether he can play three games in eight days.

"O'Brien can't play on Saturday, so we have to use him tomorrow night.''

Robson insisted that his players have learned the lesson of their crushing Champions League exit at the hands of Partizan Belgrade, when they squandered a single-goal first-leg advantage from their trip to Serbia before going out on penalties.

"This is a big match for us and we have to be in Europe,'' stressed Robson, whose side had to come from behind twice in the first leg in Switzerland.

"I'm not even thinking about Wolverhampton - I won't think about that until the Basel game is over.

"We're keen to put right what went wrong for us early in the season. We have to cherish what we are doing; if we can do well in the UEFA Cup, it will go a long way towards making up for the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League.

"After this round, there are some strong teams coming into the competition from the Champions League and we want to be in there with them. It would be exciting for us to be in the third round in the new year.

"The players have got the message about what happened against Partizan and they've read the book. We've talked about that with them.

"But I can't keep going on about it. If I do, I'll be considered a bore. The important thing is that the players are aware of it and they'll do everything in their power not to slip up again.

"It's not all over and we won't be complacent about it. We've been in a similar position already this season and failed to take advantage of what appeared to be a promising situation.

"I expect Basel to have a real go at us because they have nothing to lose. They have a lot of big players in their side and they thrive on set-plays.

"But we're aware of how hugely important this is to our club and we're prepared to slug it out. It'll be a blood-curdling tie.''

Midfielder Gary Speed is set to make his 250th Newcastle appearance, while skipper Alan Shearer, having reached a century of goals under Robson with his brace against Manchester City, now needs only two more for 100 for the Geordies at St James'.

Newcastle: Given; Hughes, Woodgate or O'Brien, Bramble, Bernard; Dyer, Jenas, Speed, Robert; Shearer, Ameobi.

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