The Sun today. Also note the line: "...plus their performance behind the scenes on match days." Quality of chips? / provision of oxygen to fans in upper levels?

TOON'S BACK DOOR TO EUROPE EXCLUSIVE

By COLIN YOUNG

NEWCASTLE could amazingly play in Europe next season - despite struggling in the bottom half of the Premiership.

Bobby Robson's Toon have a chance of winning a UEFA Cup place thanks to their good disciplinary record.

They look sure to represent England in the UEFA Fair Play draw - which offers two teams from 12 across Europe a wild-card entry to the competition.

They would need to have THREE men sent off and more booked in their final game at home to Aston Villa on Saturday for Southampton to catch them.

Newcastle are a disappointing 11th in the Premiership table - but third in the FA's Fair Play League behind Ipswich and Manchester United. Arsenal are fourth and Southampton fifth.

But Ipswich, United and Arsenal have already qualified for Europe - leaving Newcastle as the FA's No 1 choice for the draw in Zurich at the end of the month.

Europe's top 12 Fair Play associations enter a team - but only two are selected for the UEFA Cup, so Newcastle could still miss out.

Fair Play rankings also take into account a club's youth and reserve teams, plus their performance behind the scenes on match days.

Newcastle played in the UEFA Cup last season but were dumped out in the third round by Roma.

The Euro lifeline is a boost for Toon boss Robson and skipper Alan Shearer, who has had more surgery on his knee but is confident top specialist Richard Steadman has cured his problem.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Answers

Just shows what you can do without commitment

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

"plus their performance behind the scenes on match days"....

my mind has just boggled!

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

That would really piss the McEms off. It may even sell a few more Season Tickets.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

we are only third cos Nobby got sent off twice for hand ball. I think Gary Speed should also be acclaimed for his single minded approach to abusing referees in the second half of the season

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Then at the oher end of the scale the Mackems have more bookings and sendings off than anyone.

Kevin Phillips' yellow card count is cathing up with his goals count this season.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001

Dumped out by Roma? Not quite how I remember it...I thought we battled a worthy 2 leg game losing to a dubious penalty in Italy. Bloody Charvet...

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2001