NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson insists his side don't have a complex about Michael Owen - but admits that "tying his legs together'' might be the only way to halt his scoring spree against them at Anfield tonight.

The Liverpool striker has scored 12 goals in his seven appearances against United and those dozen have come in the space of six games.

Owen tortured the Magpies' defence on Merseyside ten months ago when he grabbed his second hat-trick at their expense.

But Robson maintained: "There's no danger of us having a Michael Owen phobia.

"He's a thorn all the time and we respect him. He's a top little gun. He seems to be over his hamstring problems now and he's a marvellous player. He's lethal and he has hurt us in the past.

"What do we have to do to stop him? Tie his legs together!

"We just have to mark him and we'll have a man designated to do that. We have to guard against his pace and his ability to get behind defenders and finish.

"I think Phil Thompson kept him on the bench at Fulham on Saturday to make sure he is fresh for us!''

Newcastle have lost on their last seven League visits to Anfield, but Robson said: "I would imagine there are a few other clubs who have done the same.

"That's the measure of Liverpool. They are one of our top clubs and they've built a fortress there over the years.

"They've always invested in the team. That's why those top clubs always stay at the top. Manchester United have spent over £50m this season on a championship-winning team. Arsenal do it as well - big clubs do it.

"Man. United, Arsenal and Liverpool are the three biggest clubs in the country with the best squads.''

Fourth-placed Newcastle are aware they need to pick up at least a point tonight to remain realistic title contenders.

They were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at St. James' Park last Saturday and the sides meet again - same time, same place - this weekend in an FA Cup quarter-final.

The Magpies should know by then what their chances are of an unprecedented Geordie double.

But Robson maintains that, until his side gain the same level of European experience as the "big three'', they will always be trailing in their wake.

He said: "They're playing Champions' League football, which is very demanding, but they are still at the pinnacle of the League.

"In the second half here, Arsenal played the way you have to in Europe when you're defending a lead.

"That's what Man. United, Arsenal and Liverpool have that we don't have. We have international players like them, but their international players are more experienced because they have played more in Europe.

"There's no doubt that playing in Europe makes you a better player. A top European game is like playing in an international match.

"It's something missing in our make-up.''

Robson, however, is relishing the tussle with the Anfield Reds. He said: "It's the match of the week. It'll be a terrific game, but we're not terrified.

"Liverpool are in good form - they won 6-0 at Ipswich, 4-0 at Leeds and 2-0 at Fulham, three marvellous results.

"But we don't consider it daunting. The players are quite upbeat because we know for a time on Saturday against Arsenal we played very well. Had we got a goal, who knows what might have happened?''

Fit-again striker Carl Cort makes his first start for ten months, taking the place of Shola Ameobi.

"Carl is fit and ready to play,'' confirmed Robson. "I left him out of the reserves on Monday specifically with this game in mind.''

Robson relayed more good news on the injury front when he hinted that midfielder Kieron Dyer has an outside chance of being on the bench for Saturday's Cup clash.

Dyer has been sidelined for six weeks with a foot stress fracture, but Robson revealed: "He had an x-ray yesterday which was very positive and he has a scan tomorrow, then sees the specialist.

"He has no pain and we're pushing him. Hopefully he'll get the go-ahead to start training and kicking a ball.

"Thursday will be exactly six weeks since his injury was diagnosed. They said it would take that long before he was fit and he's on course.

"He's a special kid in the sense that he has natural fitness whereby he doesn't seem to need much training before he plays.

"He was even talking to me yesterday about playing on Saturday. I'll see how he is on Thursday or Friday, but I can't see him being ready.

"But the following week, at home to Ipswich, is a possibility.''

Robson is also happy with the progress of striker Craig Bellamy, who has a torn knee tendon.

"He's improving too,'' said Robson. "We don't know whether he's going to be out for two weeks, three weeks or five, but I think he'll heal quickly.''

Newcastle, meanwhile, yesterday insisted that reports claiming Dyer was seeking a £95,000-a-week pay deal were "completely untrue''.

Newcastle (probable): Given; Hughes, O'Brien, Dabizas, Distin; Solano, Jenas, Speed, Robert; Shearer, Cort.

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