TERRY VENABLES last night launched the countdown to Middlesbrough's derby clash with Newcastle in two weeks' time by warning Bobby Robson: "You could go down.''

Venables fired the first shot in the build-up to Tyne-Tees hostilities at St. James' Park as he prepared fourth-bottom Boro for today's critical home test against Charlton Athletic.

While Boro, only a point clear of a relegation place, have failed to win in seven games in all competitions and lost the last two, neighbours Newcastle travel to Everton today bidding to end a three-match Premiership losing streak.

The Magpies were touted as European contenders after their 3-1 win at Leeds six weeks ago lifted them to sixth place, just four points off a Champions' League spot.

Yet now, albeit with a game in hand, Robson's 11th-placed side are only ten points clear of Boro.

And Venables believes the Geordies are in danger of going into freefall.

Boro's head coach said: "Of course Newcastle could get dragged into it - and I'm sure they think that as well.

"They can do something about it very quickly by winning a couple of games. If they do, they'll most likely be out of it, but it can go both ways at this stage.

"Two or three clubs are slipping down, so we've got to pick up points to keep pressure on them.

"The last clubs to get drawn into this sort of thing can go into freefall because they're not used to the pressure of dealing with it every week.

"They find it a new experience and it's not a nice one - that's what happened to Wimbledon last season when they went down.

"There are lots of big names coming into the mire with us - teams like Newcastle and Aston Villa, who you wouldn't associate with this end of the table.

"It's going to be a real scrap, but we've said that all along. Players have to deal with the pressure. Strength of character has to come to the fore and we've talked about that here.

"We've got 30 points to play for and I've always said that I think we're good enough to get out of it.''

Boro are today without defensive trio Ugo Ehiogu, Colin Cooper and Keith O'Neill.

On the plus side, fellow defenders Steve Vickers and Curtis Fleming are expected to be fit.

Vickers suffered double vision in last week's 1-0 home defeat by Southampton, when Fleming also picked up a shoulder injury.

Venables, however, admits he faces selection problems. He said: "Paul Ince has had a virus all week and we've got three players suspened. That's hit us particularly hard because they're all in defence. We've got some matching and patching to do.

"It's imperative that we beat Charlton. They're relaxed and they've earned the right to have that freedom of play.

"They're a very good, strong, well-organised side with some fine players in key positions.

"I think Jonatan Johansson, Claus Jensen and Radostin Kishishev have been instrumental in their success.

"I'm surprised that Charlton have done so well and it's to their credit that I'm surprised. They're in the top half and, as one of the promoted sides, they've done marvellously.''

Venables believes skipper Ince was unlucky not to figure in Sven-Goran Eriksson's first England squad.

"I thought he might have been in because I think he's been playing as well as he can,'' said former England coach Venables. "He's been playing very well, but that's Sven's choice.''

l Boro defender Gary Pallister is facing a tough fight in a bid o save his season.

Pallister has been out for nearly four months and has undergone surgery for a chronic back problem which has continued to trouble the defender.

"He's quite a bit away from a comeback,'' said Venables.

"But he's training and progressing pretty well. He could be back before the end of the season - but don't hold me to that.''