NEWCASTLE United centre-back Titus Bramble is desperate to banish the spectre of striker extraordinaire Christian Vieri in the crunch Champions League meeting with Inter Milan.

Bramble is sure to be at the business end of the Group A encounter as he faces what he readily admits is the toughest test of his career.

The England Under-21 international, signed by Sir Bobby Robson from Ipswich last summer in a £5m deal, already knows what to expect against the predatory Vieri, who cost a then-world record £31m when he moved from Lazio four years ago.

Bramble suffered at the hands of the Italian international when he hit a hat-trick as Ipswich were crushed 4-1 at the San Siro in last season's UEFA Cup after claiming an heroic third-round first-leg triumph at Portman Road.

"I have nightmares about the last time I was here,'' confessed Bramble. "I think I must be haunted by Vieri. I remember all the aspects of his game because he's so tough to play against.

"He's quick, strong, great on the ground and in the air. He's an all-round centre-forward and he really is tremendously powerful.

"He's definitely one of the toughest opponents I've faced, but it's a great challenge and I'm looking forward to getting back there and putting things right. It's a massive game and the biggest test of my career.''

Bramble still winces at the memory of his last visit here. He said: "With Ipswich, we won the first leg 1-0 and the plan was to come out here, calm the game down and not concede an early goal - but we did concede early.

"The key is to keep it tight and the home fans will get impatient and a bit agitated. If they get on their team's backs, nerves will set in.

"They beat us 4-1 at St. James' Park, but that was not a fair reflection because we went down to ten men early on when Craig Bellamy was sent off and that really hurt us; it's hard enough playing them with 11.

"We've been quite good defensively in the last couple of months since we lost at Wolves in the FA Cup. It's satisfying because we took a bit of stick. Things have clicked and confidence is sky-high.

"I never expected to be coming back here so soon. Ipswich took 7,000 fans, but there were only 25,000 in the stadium and it was disappointing.

"We're bringing 12,000 fans this time and it's supposed to be an 80,000 sell-out.

"I don't think a point will be enough for us - we have to go all out for the win.''

Bramble has one precious keepsake from his previous trip to Milan - the shirt worn by Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, who has since moved on to Real Madrid.

Even a generous offer from teammate Kieron Dyer couldn't tempt Bramble to part with his prized memento.

Bramble confirmed: "I swapped shirts with Ronaldo last time. Kieron was on the phone straight away and he offered me £15,000 for the shirt, but I said 'no'. I have the shirt framed at home.

"I have a few in my collection, but Ronaldo is the best player in the world and that was the one I wanted."

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