SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night ordered his faltering Newcastle United side to avert a "mini-disaster'' and win their final three games of the season to seal a Champions League place.

United dropped vital points in yesterday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at St. James' Park to leave their hopes of an immediate return to Europe's premier competition on a knife-edge.

But Robson is convinced his men can make the most of a run-in that features visits to relegated Sunderland and West Brom, and a home game with lowly Birmingham in between.

"I do believe we can do it,'' said Robson. "It would be a mini-disaster for us if we didn't finish in the top four.

"There's a lot of anxiety around the place, but I can't criticise the public because they've seen us slip from third to fourth.

"Most clubs have a blip, but we haven't had one until now. It's come right at the end of the season, so we have to come out of it.

"Now we have to go to our old foes Sunderland on Saturday and there'll be a lot of hype surrounding that because they've lost 12 games in a row and are looking to regroup, and we need a win.

"If we get nine points, we 'll do it, so it's in our hands really. We've just got to concentrate on winning those three games.''

Robson was unhappy about his side's defending when Dion Dublin nodded Villa back into the game from a free-kick after Nolberto Solano had handed Newcastle the lead.

Jonathan Woodgate had gone off with a hamstring injury and his stand-in, Titus Bramble, let Dublin escape.

"We lost Dublin on the back post, which is hard to take. In the course of a game you need leadership qualities and organisational abilities from the players. They left Dublin and it cost us dearly.

"We have had a de-briefing about the goal - how we could leave Dublin exposed like that.''

Robson is likely to be without centre-back Woodgate, who came off early in the second half yesterday with a hamstring injury.

"We knew at half-time he might not survive the game,'' said Robson. "He's been playing with a slight problem, and we'll have to see whether we can get him right for the Sunderland game. He's having ice treatment and will rest.''

Skipper Alan Shearer is also a concern after having four stitches inserted in a head wound.

Shearer left the field with his head bandaged when he was withdrawn in the 74th minute, and Robson said: "Alan will need some protection against Sunderland - it looked a nasty gash.

"Alan played with typical bravery. We stitched him up and bandaged him, but in the throes of challenges it started bleeding profusely and he had it re-stitched at the end.''

Villa boss Graham Taylor had praise for the way Newcastle have grown into a major force under fellow former England boss Robson.

Taylor said: "When you look at this club now, it's fantastic what they have done and the way they have developed with Bobby in charge.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed will undergo another hernia operation this week and is out for rest of the season.

* Everton's Wayne Rooney is facing a police investigation into allegations he spat at Liverpool fans during Saturday's Merseyside derby.

The 17-year-old allegedly spat on the pitch in front of visiting fans during the second half, provoking a furious response.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that a number of Liverpool fans had made complaints following the match and an investigation into the matter had been launched.

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