OLIVIER Bernard last night insisted that Newcastle's demoralising UEFA Cup semi-final defeat in Marseille will help them to ensure there is not more heartbreak in the final week of the season.

The United squad arrived back on Tyneside yesterday morning after Thursday night's 2-0 defeat in the south of France ended their pursuit of silverware for yet another year.

Their European dream might have been shattered in the Stade Velodrome, but Sir Bobby Robson's side have no time to lick their wounds with the next seven days determining their Premiership fate.

Last weekend's 1-0 reverse at Manchester City left Newcastle three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool and two points behind a resurgent Aston Villa in the race for the final Champions League spot.

A win over relegated Wolves is an absolute must tomorrow, before United face two pivotal away games at Southampton and Liverpool in the space of just four days next week.

Newcastle's fate is still in their own hands but, after the immense disappointment of events in Marseille, Robson's squad are hardly going into their most crucial spell of the campaign in a positive frame of mind.

Bernard, who was one of United's rare plus points in France, admits that Thursday's defeat left a bitter taste in the mouth. But, after one setback on the European front, he is adamant that the club will not suffer another blow in the domestic arena.

"The important thing now is that we don't let it get us," said the French left-back. "If anything, this will make us stronger and help us finish the season well.

"There's nothing to play for now but the fourth place. We can focus all our efforts on that and really go for it.

"We will have to do much better away from home and that last game of the season at Liverpool will be vital. But at least we know what we're playing for.

"Everybody's focused on fourth spot and, no matter what anybody else says, I think we will do it."

While Newcastle are regrouping ahead of one final push in the Premiership, Marseille are turning their thoughts towards a UEFA Cup final showdown with Spanish league leaders Valencia on May 19.

United were on the back foot as soon as the imperious Didier Drogba fired the home side ahead on Thursday night and, while the Magpies enjoyed their fair share of possession after the break, Bernard admits they deserved to finish empty-handed.

"We didn't deserve it because of the way we played," he said.

"That's all there is to it. We know we should have got to the final. We know that we're good enough. People are thinking about what might have been - but it's too late now.

"We have to come straight back with a win against Wolves. Not just a win, we have to score as many goals as we can. That will be so important if we are going to put everything that happened in Marseille behind us."

Bernard will be part of a new look backline tomorrow that will include recalled centre-half Stephen Caldwell in place of the suspended Andy O'Brien.

Caldwell was part of the Leeds side that thrashed Wolves 4-1 in February but, after suffering the disappointment of slipping out of the Premiership with the Elland Road club, the Scotsman could yet finish the campaign on a high.

He was only recalled to St James' Park on Tuesday but, with O'Brien banned for two games following his dismissal at Aston Villa, Caldwell could play a crucial role in ensuring United continue to feature on the European stage next season.

"I can't imagine Newcastle not being in Europe," admitted the Scotland international. "This is a massive club and a club which should be in Europe every year.

"Never mind the UEFA Cup - we should be in the Champions League. It would be bitterly disappointing if we weren't in Europe, so we have to make sure that it doesn't happen."

Missing out on Europe altogether is not out of the question as, with Middlesbrough and Millwall already guaranteed a passport to continental competition, only the side that finishes fifth will gain entry into the UEFA Cup.

"We've got three games left and we have to get a maximum nine points," said Caldwell. "If we lose tomorrow, or drop points, we can certainly say goodbye to the Champions League spot.

"I'm looking forward to getting a few starts now - that's why I came back. I would have stayed at Leeds if I didn't think I was going to get a few games."

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