WISE old head Alan Shearer last night saluted the way Sir Bobby Robson's rookies have grown from boys to men during Newcastle United's Champions League journey.

At 32, Shearer is still the Magpies' attacking axis. But tonight, here at De Kuip against Feyenoord, the United captain will look to the young brigade to confirm their emergence and assist him in his attempt to lead his beloved club to the second group stage of Europe's premier competition.

For United, it is all or nothing as regards the Champions League. They must beat Feyenoord and pray that Juventus, who have already qualified for the next phase, deny Dynamo Kiev the victory the Ukrainians need on their own patch to be certain of advancing.

A draw for Newcastle would see Robson's side drop into the UEFA Cup.

But all thoughts in the Geordie camp remain focused on the chance to prolong a Champions League excursion which has witnessed the blossoming of the likes of Kieron Dyer, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Hughes and Andy Griffin.

Former England skipper Shearer stressed: "It is no longer about my experience of playing in big games, because these boys are getting ideas themselves.

"As a squad, we are learning about playing at this level. I have been there, but you only learn by being in this sort of intense competition for a long time.

"I think we were a bit raw to start with and that showed when we lost our first three games.

"We need to get back into a top-four Champions League position in the Premiership because we would be a much better team in this competition next time for the experience we've had this season.

"We've already shown we can compete with some of the best teams in Europe. In fact, we have beaten one of them in Juventus.

"If we do get through, the experience we have gained will make us a very difficult side to beat in the next two stages.''

Shearer isn't banking on Juve doing United any favours. Instead, he is demanding that his side perform as they did when Feyenoord withstood a hammering on Tyneside to claim a fortuitous 1-0 win.

Shearer's doubts about an under-strength Juve are well founded. Marcello Lippi has rested six men, including skipper Alessandro Del Piero, Pavel Nedved, and Lilian Thuram, and named four youth players in his squad. And the Italian title holders' defeat at Newcastle was their 18th Champions League away game without victory.

Ironically, the win famine stretches back four-and-a-half years - to a triumph in Kiev.

"I would gladly take the performance we gave against Feyenoord again this time,'' said Shearer.

"We had a stack of chances and if we play like that again, one or two will go in.

"At least we have given ourselves a chance to go through. We deserve that much after putting in so much effort. The lads deserve a lot of credit for fighting back. I would not hold my breath about Juventus getting a result in Kiev."

Despite the tension surrounding the occasion, manager Robson is determined that United make it "a great night'' in front of an anticipated 50,000 full house.

But the former PSV Eindhoven boss - he twice won the Dutch League title - has warned his players they face an "intimidating atmosphere'' against a fired-up Feyenoord who still have plenty to play for themselves.

"It's a massive game for us and we have to be at our best,'' said Robson. "I think it will be a thrilling match. It will be an intimidating atmosphere because the public here are very vocal and it can be volatile. It's very similar to St. James' Park. If we win or draw, it will be a great night for us.

"Like us, Feyenoord know they have to win to have a chance of staying in the competition.

"I spent three great years over here in two spells at PSV and I know the Feyenoord set-up and Dutch football. It was a great experience and education for me, and I loved every minute of it.

"Feyenoord proved in the first game against us that they are a tough team and resilient - we couldn't knock them over, but they carried a bit of luck.

"They won the UEFA Cup last season which is no small deed. They beat Borussia Dortmund here in the final.

"A place in the UEFA Cup would be a terrific crumb of comfort - it's a saviour for us. Feyenoord, having won it, will know the importance of that more than us.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.