UNDER-FIRE Newcastle defender Titus Bramble has been backed to defy his doubters as he faces the biggest test of his fledgling career against Alessandro Del Piero and Co at St. James' Park tonight.

Sir Bobby Robson, who paid Ipswich £5m for England Under-21 international Bramble, is confident the centre-back's nerve will hold against a Juventus frontline consisting of the inspirational Del Piero and Marco Di Vaio, who has recovered from the near-fatal clash of heads with Andy O'Brien at the Stadio Delle Alpi three weeks ago.

Bramble has looked unsure of himself since his summer move to Tyneside and last figured in the 2-0 home defeat by Leeds on September 11 when he was at fault with one of the goals.

Manager Robson, however, has little option but to pitch him into battle, with Nikos Dabizas banned after picking up his third yellow card in the Champions' League when he pulled down Del Piero to concede the free-kick from which the Juve skipper scored his side's opener in their 2-0 victory in Turin.

Robson said: "We like Titus. He's only 21 and I know he will come through. We have to throw in him. I told him when he got back from Under-21 duty last week that he wouldn't be playing at Blackburn on Saturday, but he would be playing in this one.

"I told him to get his head right. He's applied himself and I think he's ready for it.

"I have no problems about him. He knows he's going to play against two very clever, top strikers in Del Piero and Di Vaio.

"I like Del Piero very much and the other guy looked all right until we managed to get him off on a stretcher!

"We know they have lethal players, but we won't play with a sweeper - we'll play with a flat back-four and have a go.''

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