Bobby Robson yesterday insisted his club remains united after another turbulent week.

The 71-year-old hit back at suggestions of strife at St James' Park following a catalogue of disasters and mishaps.

Alan Shearer spoke out after being dropped for last Wednesday's UEFA Cup draw against Valerenga, Lee Bowyer discovered his six-match European ban is yet to be served and Lomana LuaLua, the player the Magpies loaned to Portsmouth, robbed them of two precious Premiership points at Fratton Park on Sunday.

It has been a testing time for Robson and his players, but as he put the finishing touches to his preparations for tonight's return clash with the Norwegians, the manager was in typically defiant mood.

"I understand Alan being disappointed. I made a manager's decision and every decision I make at this club is in the best interests of every player at the club.

"But the next match is always the most important and the next match for us is tomorrow night - and hopefully, our next match will be in the same competition a week later.

"It won't be easy - you're not playing 11 dustbins out there, you're playing 11 athletes who can run and fight and challenge.

"Their fitness surprised me, but they've trained and they've rested. We've played games and they haven't."

Newcastle have endured a mixed season, missing out on Champions League football in a shock qualifier defeat by Partizan Belgrade and have lacked the fluency of the last two seasons at times since.

"We have a home game, a rather crucial one, we have an away goal. It's slightly in our favour and we have to take advantage of that," said Robson.

Newcastle will be without midfielders Kieron Dyer and Darren Ambrose through injury, although the hamstring problem Dyer suffered at Portsmouth is not as serious as was first feared and he could return within a fortnight.

Robson has brought in 21-year-old midfielder Bradley Orr and teenagers Steven Taylor, Lewis Guy and Martin Brittain to a 19-man squad.