JONATHAN WOODGATE tonight faces his biggest game for three years in the fervent belief that Newcastle can emulate the Leeds team he helped to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

England defender Woodgate, who moved to Newcastle in a £9m January deal, is set to return for the qualifier with Partizan Belgrade at St. James' Park after shaking off the stomach strain which forced him to miss Saturday's home defeat by Manchester United.

Woodgate starred in the Leeds side David O'Leary led to the last four of Europe's top club competition three seasons ago.

Valencia eventually ended their run before losing in the final on penalties to Bayern Munich.

There were notable scalps for Leeds along the way, in the shape of the likes of AC Milan and Lazio, but it was the qualifying victory over 1860 Munich that provided Woodgate with his most memorable moment.

He said: "We got to the semi-finals, which was a good achievement, but if you lose at that stage you might as well get knocked out in the first round.

"We won nothing - there was no silverware to show for it. You don't go down in history.

"I came to Newcastle to get back into the Champions League. I'm loving it here and there's similar potential at Newcastle. We have young players, pace in the side and depth to the squad. The older players are also a big factor.

"Getting through the qualifier against 1860 Munich was the most memorable game for me of Leeds' run. I only played the second leg, but it was tough.

"It was a good, hard performance in the first leg in Belgrade, but it's going to be tough because 1-0 is not much of a lead.

"We have to qualify first, but hopefully we can go further than last year. It would be a massive achievement to get to the quarter-finals or further.''

Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson insists he is only taking a "slight chance'' with Woodgate's fitness.

He said: "Jonathan has trained withouth any discomfort. He is naturally fit and we just have to consider whether we take a slight chance with him. He says he's fine.'