Two-year wait for team to match arena - Robson

The Magpies step out for the first time at a new-look 52,000-capacity St. James' Park tonight against Jim Smith's Derby County, with United boss Robson conceding his side are still some way short of being a major Premiership force.

Robson, eager to bolster his suspect defence, gave a broad hint yesterday that he will be forced to sell to generate money for team strengthening.

United have spent over £40m refurbishing their ground and Robson has limited funds left after splashing out £11.5m on three players this summer.

"Our stadium is magnificent - it's a Rolls-Royce of grounds,'' said Robson. "That's the business of the plc and my responsibility is what goes out on the pitch. I know we have to produce a good team to fill the stadium.

"If we do that, we will fill it. It'll be an emotional evening with a Geordie crowd in full voice.

"We want to put on a show that will make them raise the roof. We tried to make this place a fortress last season - it was a difficult castle to knock over.

"Most clubs are some distance away from where they want to be, whether you measure it in miles, years - or Neverneverland!

"With pruning and replacing it might take us two years to get our squad up to scratch. When I can improve the situation at the club, I will. I'm happy, but I'm never satisfied. We're always looking to improve.''

Robson yesterday insisted he is not prepared to sacrifice England starlet Kieron Dyer, who has been linked with an £8m move to Arsenal, and maintained there had been no approach from Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger.

Dyer, who started Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on the bench, is set to return to the starting line-up tonight.

But the 21-year-old midfielder has already incurred Robson's wrath after being "court-martialled'' following revelations about his lurid antics while on holiday in Cyprus this summer.

The £6m signing from Ipswich was reported to be upset about his Old Trafford demotion, but Robson insisted: "He took the decision like a professional. There would have been a big expression of disappointment on my part if he had come to see me.

"No side can win anything with 11 players. I've got a squad of 18, I would like another four, but only 11 can play.

"The secret of any successful side, like the one I had at Barcelona, is a big squad. When players were out of the side I told them to keep their mouths shut in respect of the players who were in the team.''

Dyer is crucial to United tonight, with midfielder Robert Lee doubtful with a calf strain picked up against Manchester United.

Centre-back Marcelino could be out for three weeks after snapping a tendon in a finger. The £5m Spaniard was having a scan yesterday and may need an operation.

Striker Kevin Gallacher is sidelined with a muscle injury and right-back Andy Griffin has a groin problem.

But Didier Domi is set to return at left-back, while Robson has also drafted former Darlington striker Jamie Coppinger and midfielder Brian Kerr into the squad.

Newcastle (from): Given; Barton, Goma, Hughes, Domi, Dabizas, Charvet, Cordone, Cort, Dyer, Shearer, Speed, Solano, Gavilan, Glass, Coppinger, Kerr, Harper.

l ALAN SHEARER is hoping to mark the grand opening of Newcastle's revamped stadium with his 200th League goal.

The United skipper, who signed off at St. James' last season with his 300th career strike in the 4-2 win over Arsenal, said: "It would be great if I could get my 200th League goal in front of 52,000. It'll be the biggest crowd I've ever seen at St. James'.''

Shearer lines up alongside new strike partner Carl Cort in a home game for the first time, tipping the £7m signing for future England honours.

But former England captain Shearer, who quit the international game after Euro 2000, reckons ex-Newcastle goal-ace Andy Cole has "as good a chance as anyone'' of taking over his No 9 mantle.

Cole scored Manchester United's second goal in the weekend win over Newcastle and Shearer said: "He wasn't in the Euro 2000 squad, but it wasn't because he wasn't good enough, it was because he wasn't fit.

"If he's fit, I'm sure he'll get a chance. He's got as good a chance as anyone. The rest is up to him.''

Kevin Keegan names his squad tomorrow for the friendly with France in Paris a fortnight tonight, but Shearer said: "The disadvantage the likes of Carl and Michael Bridges at Leeds have is that they lack experience. But I'm sure their time will come.''

l BELARUS defender Sergei Gurenko is set to join Newcastle on a two-week trial from Roma with a view to a possible £2.5m deal