BOBBY ROBSON has written off Newcastle's chances of qualifying for the Champions' League.

In a stark assessment of his side's prospects, manager Robson reckons the Magpies will finish outside the Premiership's top four and that they face a scramble for a place in the UEFA Cup.

Saturday's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Fulham ultimately meant Robson's men missed the chance to go level on points with leaders Liverpool and second-placed Leeds.

Aston Villa, held to a goalless draw at home to Middlesbrough, currently occupy the third Champions' League berth.

With Manchester United winning and Arsenal drawing, Newcastle slipped two places to sixth, and Robson believes that represents a more realistic finishing position.

He said: "I don't think we'll get in the top four, because if Liverpool, Leeds, Man. United and Arsenal hit their potential, those clubs will have those top four places buttoned up.

"You've then got maybe Chelsea, but after that, everybody who occupies that middle section will be looking to get sixth or seventh with a possible European spot.

"You're talking about teams like Aston Villa, Newcastle - naturally - Sunderland, even though they had a dip should be up there, and Everton. We're looking for that tight position outside the top four or five.''

Meanwhile, winger Laurent Robert is only a booking away from a one-match ban after picking up his fourth yellow card this season as one of six Newcastle players cautioned against Fulham, a tally which will cost the Magpies a £25,000 Football Association fine.

Newcastle now have two of their most influential players walking a disciplinary tightrope, with striker Craig Bellamy also on four yellow cards.

Defeat at Craven Cottage was a huge let-down for Robson on his return to the club who sacked him from his first managerial post 33 years ago.

Newcastle, who crashed to a 3-0 defeat at West Ham almost two months ago, have now gone 27 games and close to four years without a win in London.

Goalkeeper Shay Given, a hero for the Republic of Ireland 48 hours earlier when he helped clinch World Cup qualification in the second leg play-off in Iran, said: "Football has a habit of bringing you back down to earth with a bump.

"Once again we let ourselves down and I don't know where to begin talking about it. We started well, but then we gave away two goals and it became a struggle.''

* Blackburn Rovers yesterday denied reports that Newcastle had made an £8m bid for England Under-21 star David Dunn.

Bobby Robson is an admirer of the midfielder, but Blackburn spokesman John Williams insisted: "We have not received a bid from anybody at Newcastle.

"But if they had been in touch, we would have turned it down flat because David is not for sale.''

* Former Middlesbrough reserve-team coach David Geddis is set to join Newcastle's backroom staff this week.

Geddis, who lost his job at the Riverside when Steve McClaren became manager this summer, will work under Newcastle's first-team coach John Carver on a three-month trial.

The 43-year-old former Darlington striker played for Ipswich when Bobby Robson was in charge at Portman Road.

* Newcastle defender David Beharall has joined Second Division Oldham, managed by former Magpies head coach Mick Wadsworth, on loan until the end of the season.

Beharall, 22, spent the first three months of the season on loan at First Division Grimsby. His last senior appearance for Newcastle was against Tottenham at St. James' Park nearly two years ago.

* Tickets for Newcastle's home match against Blackburn on Saturday, December 15, will go on general sale at 9.00am on Thursday from the Box Office (Milburn Stand)

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