Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson last night backed his stand-in strikeforce to meet the challenge of tomorrow's dream Champions League date with Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Robson, rocked by the loss of first-choice frontline Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy through suspension, will pair either Kieron Dyer or Lomana LuaLua alongside Shola Ameobi to fill the gaping void.

But a bold Robson is convinced that whichever partnership he plumps for, they can cause problems for Barca.

"Shearer and Bellamy are a big miss," admitted Robson, who has also included 18-year old England Under-20 striker Michael Chopra in his squad.

"But the replacements will be excited and thrilled about facing Barcelona, and they won't be afraid.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for them and they won't let us down, whatever side I play.

"They will have the courage and motivation to do well. The kids won't be fazed. It's a big test and a challenge for them. It will tell us one or two things about them.

"We are in good heart and we will put out a good, competitive side."

Robson was delighted with the performance of 19-year old midfielder Jermaine Jenas in Saturday's 1-0 win at Aston Villa, where skipper Shearer signed off with the winner.

"I was very impressed with Jenas," confessed Robson. "I thought he was absolutely tremendous. I have a few options for Barcelona."

Robson makes what he admits will be a "sentimental return" to the Catalan capital, where he managed Barca for one season before taking up an executive role for a further year.

Barca, coached for the second time by Louis van Gaal - the man who replaced Robson in the hot seat - are chasing a Champions League record of eight successive victories in the competition proper.

But their form in La Liga has been indifferent to say the least and Robson said: " They look a little uncertain. They are doing well in the Champions League but not so well in their own league.

"So it's a pressure match for Barca, too. There is always pressure on them. There was pressure on me when I was there and we were doing great - we won the European Cup Winners' Cup and the Spanish Cup - so God knows what it's like when they do badly.

"Every game is like a cup final for them in Spain. They represent Catalonia, which is a nation within a nation, and everybody in Spain wants to beat them.

"That's why it's so difficult for them to win the title there. It's harder for them than it is for Manchester United."

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