A SHELL-SHOCKED Jermaine Jenas has warned his Newcastle team-mates that their four-pronged assault on silverware will be halved this week if they fail to bounce back from Sunday's devastating defeat to Fulham.

The Magpies were hit by a second-half blitz last weekend as the Cottagers grabbed three goals in the space of 11 minutes to inflict a first home defeat since August.

Newcastle were left licking their wounds despite recording 26 shots at goal - 20 of which found the target - but, with crucial games against Chelsea and Manchester United looming, Graeme Souness' side cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves for long.

Defeat to Chelsea tomorrow would dump United out of the Carling Cup, while losing to Sir Alex Ferguson's side on Sunday could see them 16 points behind Jose Mourinho's Premiership pace-setters and even ten points adrift of surprise-packages Everton.

Jenas is aware of how much is at stake but, after helping United overcome a poor start to the season, the youngster is confident they have the mental strength to recover again.

"We can't afford to feel sorry for ourselves," said the 21-year-old, who is expected to be named in Sven Goran Eriksson's latest England squad on Saturday night. "Because if we do that, there's a good chance we'll get to the end of this week and find ourselves out of it.

"I think these two big games are the best thing that can happen for us now.

"They're just what we need to pick ourselves up - we're playing against two of the biggest sides and testing ourselves. I think we'll come back for the better.

"I definitely think we can come back from this. I've been in this team for three years now and it hasn't changed that much.

"We've still got the same foundations and we know we can bounce back from these set-backs. It is a knock-back, but we've definitely got the players who can rebound from it and get back onto the winning trail."

Newcastle's first chance for redemption comes tomorrow when Mourinho brings his all-conquering Chelsea side to St James' Park. With the Blues at the top of the Premiership, and already through to the knock-out stage of the Champions League, the Carling Cup is likely to be bottom of his list of priorities.

But, while the visitors are likely to make changes, replacements such as Joe Cole, Scott Parker and Mateja Kezman will ensure United's defensive credentials are put under the microscope again.

"Chelsea are a great side," said Jenas. "They can put out their second team and still be brilliant. They've got a great squad and we expect a very tough match.

"It's a trophy at the end of the day, and I'm sure their coach wants to win as many of those as possible.

"It's a bit difficult for Chelsea to put out a weakened side, because they've got such talent and ability at their club. Whatever side they're putting out it's going to be a strong team.

"It's going to be tough for us to better them, but it's up to us to do that."

Jenas was left scratching his head at centre-half as Newcastle imploded in the latter stages of Sunday's defeat.

The England international has missed just two games this season, although few of his appearances have come in his preferred central midfield position.

He has been shuffled from one flank to the other as Souness has sought to accommodate Nicky Butt and Lee Bowyer but, with Laurent Robert set to return on the left flank tomorrow, Jenas could find himself back in the midfield engine room.

"I'm going to do a job for them wherever I play," he said. "I think the manager knows, and I know, that my best position is in the centre of midfield, but if he wants me to do a job at centre-back, left-back, then I'll go and do it."

* Spanish champions Valencia have been linked with a January swoop for Robert. The left winger, who has been unable to break into Souness' first-choice XI, is seen as the ideal replacement for injured Spanish international Vicente.

* Shay Given and his wife, Jane, are celebrating the birth of their first child. Shayne Niall weighed in at 9lbs 4oz when he was born at 9pm on Sunday night.

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