KIERON DYER is calling on his Newcastle teammates to use tonight's opponents Feyenoord as their role-models, as they bid to keep their European dreams alive in Rotterdam.

The Dutch giants were dumped out of the Champions League at this stage last year, finishing third in their group to qualify for the fourth round of the UEFA Cup.

Feyenoord went from strength to strength in that competition, beating Rangers on their way to the final, where they triumphed 3-2 over Borussia Dortmund at their De Kuip stadium.

And despite the Magpies' England midfielder refusing to rule out progressing in the Champions League, he believed Newcastle should not look upon a potential UEFA Cup spot as the end of the world. "If we win or draw then it is progress for Newcastle United," said Dyer. "We need to stay in cup competitions.

"Feyenoord proved it last year - they were in the Champions League, they got knocked out and then they went on to win the UEFA Cup.

"If we're knocked out of the Champions League then hopefully we can go and do what Feyenoord did."

Dyer is aware that Newcastle need to improve their attacking play after Saturday's disappointing 1-0 defeat against Arsenal at Highbury.

Despite Newcastle putting in an impressive defensive performance, they lacked ideas going forward and could only produce one shot during the whole of the game.

Dyer himself played just behind lone-striker Alan Shearer, but he is likely to resume his midfield role tonight with Craig Bellamy possibly partnering Shearer upfront.

Dyer said: "If we take our defensive performance from Saturday into the game, and we pick up our attacking play, and add to that the Craig Bellamy factor then we go into the game full of confidence.

"I firmly believe we'll get a result, and we'll go into the game full of heart.

"I'll stick my head on the line and say we will not lose that game. If we get the draw we'll be in the UEFA Cup , a victory and we could still be in the Champions League.

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