Jamie McClen is likely to get an unexpected chance to put his bad-boy reputation behind him for Newcastle against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Local lad McClen landed in hot water last month when he was cautioned by police following a drinking incident on the city's Quayside.

His transgression came at a bad time for the Geordies and added to the unwanted publicity that followed Craig Bellamy's attack on a female student in the same district a week earlier.

The 22-year-old schemer has not played since the fifth round win over Manchester City but he's back in contention because of a midfield crisis.

Boss Bobby Robson said yesterday: "Jamie did very well for us in five matches before Jermaine Jenas came in and we just have to trust the players."

McClen's call will hinge on a surprise late fitness check on Gary Speed, who was ruled out of contention on Thursday because of a hamstring injury.

Cup-tied Jenas and injury victim Kieron Dyer are definitely out but Robson said of Speed: "He's in the squad and he's a possibility.

"I have let my head rule my heart on Kieron and I may have to do the same with Gary. I won't risk him if it means he could be out for a month. But the scan is clear, there is no tear and I'm prepared to make a late decision.

"Robson believes the whole world is on Newcastle's side in their bid to reach the final. The Newcastle manager revealed: "I was in London earlier today and as I came through airport security a load of people said 'we hope you win it'.

"There was a lot of that in London. Mind you, they were probably Spurs fans!

"I bumped into a couple from South Africa who had flown in specially for the match. And there are others coming from other parts of the world. A lot of people are yelling for us and that's nice."

Robson has urged his players not to let the season fall apart. He said: "The only way the season will fall flat is if we buckle. But my message to the players is, we will not buckle."

He has urged the home fans to play their part in what he hopes will be a repeat of his only other cup meeting with the Gunners - when Ipswich lifted the trophy by defeating Arsenal in the 1978 final.

"I'd settle for the same result," he said. "I promise the fans that we will give it everything from start to finish and we will not give it up.

"But we need the supporters because we won't have our best team out. It's a mammoth game and we need the maximum public support to help us to the victory we desperately want.

"A few players were overawed at Liverpool in midweek but there was no reason for it. The way we played at Anfield surprised me and disappointed me. Now we have a chance to make up for it. To win the League we would need to win eight of our last nine games. To win the FA Cup we only need to win three. So it's our best chance."

Untested 17-year-old goalkeeper Adam Collin will be on the bench for the biggest game of his short career if Shay Given's deputy Steve Harper fails a late fitness test on an ankle injury.

l Frank Sinclair has followed the example of goalkeeper Ian Walker in pledging his future to Leicester if they are relegated.

The defender scored a bizarre own goal in last Saturday's defeat at Middlesbrough, but has been one of City's most consistent performers in a nightmare season.

Now the former Chelsea man has promised he will not be looking to leave Leicester.

Sinclair said: ''I would be happy to stay. I've got another two years on my contract after this season and I intend to stay until somebody tells me otherwise."