INTER MILAN defender Fabio Cannavaro has warned he will resort to every trick in the book to get Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer sent off in tonight's Champions League showdown at the San Siro.

The Magpies must avoid defeat, and realistically pull off a sensational victory, to keep alive any hope of a first-ever qualification for the quarter-finals of Europe's greatest club competition.

Shearer received a two-match UEFA ban after being convicted, on video evidence, of elbowing Cannavaro in Inter's 4-1 win at St. James' Park last November.

Yesterday Shearer insisted he bore no grudges, but Italian international Cannavaro stoked the fires ahead of their rematch with his cynical declaration.

Craig Bellamy, Shearer's strike partner, returns after serving a three-match suspension for the red card he picked up for lashing out at Inter's Marco Materazzi.

And Cannavaro maintained: "I'll do anything in my power to help my team, and if that means Newcastle being reduced to ten men, then that's what I will do.

"Alan Shearer hit out at me in the last game, which was out of character.

"But I will be perfectly prepared to get bumps and bruises again if it means Shearer getting sent off or into trouble. If Newcastle get reduced to ten men, that will help our cause.''

However, former England captain Shearer, who has never scored against Italian opposition at club or international level and is one goal short of equalling Wyn Davies' Newcastle record of ten in Europe, is refusing to rise to the bait.

"There's no situation as far as I'm concerned,'' said Shearer. "Cannavaro was ready to speak on my behalf had I appealed against UEFA's decision.

"I have great respect for him as a player. In fact, I have great respect for all Italian defenders. They are the best in the world.''

United manager Sir Bobby Robson, whose side are bidding to become the first from England to beat Inter at home for 42 years, echoed Shearer's sentiments on Cannavaro, but stressed: "All top defenders in all countries know how to provoke and intimidate opponents.

"Italian defenders are combative. Over the years, Italian football has been very sound in defence. Their style is to nullify attacking play.

"The secret is don't get provoked and intimidated. Craig has been banned twice in the Champions League this season, which is twice too often.

"He didn't play too long at St. James' - he lasted about four minutes and did nothing - but we hope he will do much more this time.

"We don't want to take too much away from his game because he's a winner. All he has been guilty of is wanting to be the best. Maybe if he was more of an Alan Shearer type, he would be less effective.

"We need to keep all our players on the pitch in this game, but we still have to threaten their defence.''

Newcastle will be backed by up to 12,000 fans, and Robson emphasised: "I think we have to win this game. We don't want to let the fans down. We saw evidence of the support here when we all visited the cathedral - we went there to pray!''

With Gabriel Batistuta ineligible, Alvaro Recoba suspended, and Hernan Crespo and Mohamed Kallon injured, Inter are short of attacking options.

Christian Vieri, rested for the weekend win over Bologna, is expected to have Turkish midfielder Emre operating in a support role.

Robson joked: "We'll have to tie Vieri's legs together with an elastic band to stop him.''

Possible teams - Inter: Toldo; J Zanetti, Cordoba, Cannavaro, Coco; Conceicao, Di Biagio, Guly, Okan; Emre; Vieri.

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

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