Delighted Newcastle United boss Bobby Robson last night saluted his players and admitted that their Champions League qualification was beyond his wildest dreams at the start of the season.

Alan Shearer, who scored his 200th Premiership goal against Charlton last Saturday took his top-flight tally this term to 21 with a brace as United came from behind twice at Ewood Park.

Robson now believes United can capitalise on their return to Europe's elite club competition by luring more star names to St James' Park.

"I never dreamed we would get to the Champions' League," said Robson. "I thought we could make eighth this season but our rise has been dramatic.

"I think the Champions' League is where this club belongs. We have an average attendance of 51,000 for every home game, it's a big club and a footballing area.

"Nothing means much more in the North-East than football.

"I have to say I think it's marvellous that we made it. We've done very well. We finished 11th last season and we've jumped 7 places to fourth.

"Outside the top three teams in the Premiership, we have probably been the country's favourite team because we scored goals - we've now got 102 including the Intertoto Cup.''

Robson added: "We should be able to persuade many more players to come to Newcastle, but I'm proud of the players I already have."

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness conceded that Geordie talisman Shearer is still a striker par excellance. "He's still a handful," said Souness. "We had two big centre halves and at times he messed them around physically.

"But you can't deny Newcastle their place in the Champions' League. They are a very good team and they played very well here.

"However, we didn't put them under any sustained pressure like we did when we played Manchester United."

Souness revealed that Lucas Neill suffered concussion after he fell awkwardly following a challenge from Newcastle winger Laurent Robert and was stretchered off.

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