NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Shay Given is convinced that the 6-2 massacre by Manchester United will galvanise the Magpies to greater heights next season.

Saturday's St. James' Park debacle put paid to any realistic hope of Sir Bobby Robson's side challenging Man. United and Arsenal in pursuit of the Premiership crown.

But Republic of Ireland international Given insists the crushing defeat should serve as a salutary lesson and that third-placed Newcastle must now concentrate solely on securing a Champions League spot for the second season running, then regroup to mount a renewed title push next term.

Given said: "I do think the title is beyond us this season, but hopefully we can give it a real good go next year.

"We didn't start that well this season. Had we had a bit better start, who knows?

"But I do think that if we can keep all our key players fit next season, we can give it a real blast.

"It's important that we get back into the Champions League this year as well. It's the place you want to be, where we can go out and spend £9m on people like Jonathan Woodgate.

"Had we not been in the Champions League this year, I don't think we could have gone out and done that the way football is going.

"It's vital that we get in there every year. You just have to look at what has happened to Leeds after they missed out, so it's important that we get back into the Champions League.''

Having suffered back-to-back defeats, Newcastle have five games left to hold off the challenge of Chelsea, Everton - who beat them nine days ago - and possibly Liverpool, in the chase for Champions League places.

Robson yesterday held a heated inquest with his players into the Man. United setback.

But Alan Shearer, who it transpired broke a hand in the game, was absent. The skipper was on his way to London to collect three awards for his contribution to the Premiership in its first decade.

Notwithstanding the injury, Shearer plans to be back in the capital on Saturday to face Fulham at Loftus Road.

He said: "The X-ray showed a fracture, but it doesn't mean I'm going to miss any games. I'm intending to play on.''

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas will also be available despite dislocating a finger, but winger Laurent Robert could be out for the rest of the season after suffering medial knee ligament damage.

Robson is demanding a final flourish from his side to ensure they better last season's fourth-place finish.

"If we finish third, we've made an improvement and that would please me enormously," said Robson.

"It would be something the players would deserve and it would obviously please them as well.

"That's what you have to work for when you're near the top. If you're 20th and you finish 17th, you can be quite pleased about that.

"But at the top end, when you finish fourth then third, jumping that one place is far more difficult than jumping one place at the bottom.

"If we can finish second next season, again that would be dramatic.

"That's a massive improvement because you're among the cream and it's not easy to shuffle in there and oust people.

"But for now, if we finish third, we've maintained good progress and done really well."

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