HUGO Viana was last night ordered to put his strong objections to playing on the wing out of his head and become Newcastle United's favourite wide boy.

Sir Bobby Robson knows Viana despises being deployed on the left-hand side of midfield - a position usually occupied by Laurent Robert.

But with the Frenchman sidelined for up to five weeks with a fractured cheekbone, 19-year-old Viana will line up out of position at Arsenal today.

The Portugal midfielder, who revelled in his preferred central midfield role against Everton on Wednesday, deputised admirably for Robert in the early stages of the season.

But his way into the team in the middle of the park continues to be blocked by Gary Speed's outstanding form.

Now, Robson returns to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs - last season's 3-1 League win at Highbury - hoping Viana replicates the form that endeared him to the Toon Army shortly after arriving from Sporting Lisbon for £8.5m.

The Newcastle manager said: "Hugo doesn't like playing on the left but he did a great job there for us at the start of the season.

"With Laurent out, we need a left-footed player who can cross the ball and work hard for us, and Hugo can do that.

"As long as the boy's mind is all right, he will serve us really well on the left. He got the public to love him very quickly.

"In time, that position in the centre of midfield will be Hugo Viana's position, but at the moment Gary Speed is too valuable to us to be left out.

"When Gary gets injured or doesn't hit the form he's in at the moment, it will be a different matter. But we're getting the best out of Gary just now.

"Gary won so many important challenges against Middlesbrough on Monday and he scored a goal against Dynamo Kiev that Viana wouldn't be able to score.

"Gary hasn't got the passing ability of Hugo Viana - but Hugo hasn't got some of the qualities that Gary brings to the side."

Robson still smiles at the memory of December's win over Arsenal - the Double winners' last defeat until Wayne Rooney and Everton beat them three weeks ago.

The Gunners have lost five of their last six matches, but Robson is aware that Newcastle could face a backlash.

He said: "Arsenal can come out of a bad run very quickly. Arsene Wenger will have his best team out against us, and they'll want to stay on track in the league after beating Fulham last week.

"The win at Arsenal last season was one of the best nights of my life. We were 1-0 down and heading for defeat, but we took the game to them.

"It was a marvellous comeback and they'll respect us as a result."

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