KIERON DYER has dispelled the suspicion that Newcastle are now only in the Champions League for the fun of it - by warning Inter Milan they face a St. James' Park backlash tonight following the Magpies' 5-3 mauling at Manchester United.

Midfielder Dyer yesterday revealed the "hurt'' Sir Bobby Robson's side felt as they were forced to bow to the Red Devils' superior firepower in Saturday's clash.

But Dyer is convinced the defeat can produce a positive effect as Newcastle launch their Champions League second group stage campaign against Inter's rich array of talents.

"We want to be taken seriously,'' stressed Dyer. "Playing Inter Milan at home gives us a great chance to send that message out.

"If we can pick up three points in our first game with a great scalp like Inter, it will show the rest of Europe we mean business.

"And I honestly believe that if we get the crowd behind us, and perform like we can, we're capable of getting the three points. We're going to go for the win.

"But we're going to have to be a bit more professional.

"Of course, the players were hurt by what happened on Saturday. The gaffer warned us that, with all the talk about Man. United being a club in crisis, they would be at their most dangerous.

"Even after 20 minutes, when it was still 0-0, they were a yard sharper than us.

"If your team wins six personal battles in a match, you have a great chance of winning the game.

"I don't think we won one personal battle and only Gary Speed could hold his hand up and say he had a decent game.

"But I think that defeat could be a blessing in disguise. After winning at Feyenoord to get through to this stage, everything was going well, but sometimes you need a setback just to refocus.

"I was talking to some of the young lads in the team, and when we were kids in the playground, the three stadiums we all wanted to play at were Wembley, the San Siro and the Nou Camp.

"Hopefully, after this campaign, I'll be fortunate enough to be able to say I've played at all three.

"But I think there were a few kids in the playground on Saturday at Man. United - and that's why we got battered.

"Against Inter, it's going to have to be men on the pitch.''

Dyer, who has attracted Inter's interest, added: "It's no surprise that our best player in this European campaign has been Alan Shearer. The young players have probably played well in a couple of games, but Alan has been brilliant in five out of the six - that's why he's a world-class player.

"It's an education for the young players, being up against a team like Inter. It will make us better players.

"With the leadership qualities of the gaffer, Alan Shearer and Gary Speed, we have the basis for the young players to improve.''

Striker Craig Bellamy, two-goal match-winner in the 3-2 triumph over Feyenoord which secured Newcastle's place in the second group phase, will start tonight if he has no reaction to his ongoing knee problem after two days' training on the back of a 90-minute run-out at Old Trafford.

Robson pulled Bellamy out of Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier in Azerbaijan seven days ago on the pretext that he can only play one game a week because of a strict rehabilitation programme.

But Robson admitted: "There's a very good chance Craig will play. He's been in light training for the last two days without problems. He's in my mind, but I have to have a look at him.

"On medical advice, he can only play one game a week, but there will come a time when Craig's opinion about his knee will dictate whether we stick to that or he resumes normal, active service.

"When he played against Feyenoord, he had a reaction the next day. That's why we didn't even consider him for the home game against Southampton. But he's come out of the Man. United game without pain, just a certain stiffness, and that's a healthy sign.

"What is more important, is Craig's long-term future and if he has to miss one match, however important it is, he'll miss it.''

As revealed in Northern Echo Sport on Monday, Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana, Newcastle's other scorer against Feyenoord, is fit to return after missing international duty - and the Man. United match - with a knee injury.

Viana is standing in on the left for Laurent Robert, but Robson confirmed that the Frenchman, who fractured a cheekbone in the Worthington Cup exit at home to Everton three weeks ago, will be on the bench tonight.

"He's getting a mask, but it hasn't arrived yet,'' said Robson.

"But he's comfortable and says he's not afraid. He's on the bench if we need him.''

Robson will check on right-back Andy Griffin, who has been hit by gastro-enteritis. If he is ruled out, Aaron Hughes will switch to right-back, with Olivier Bernard taking over on the left.

Newcastle (from): Given; Griffin, Bernard, O'Brien, Dabizas, Hughes, Jenas, Dyer, Speed, Viana, Bellamy, Shearer, Ameobi, Acuna, Caldwell, Robert, Solano, LuaLua, Harper (gk).

Inter Milan (possible): Toldo; Cordoba, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Coco; Zanetti; Di Biagio, Emre, Recoba; Crespo, Vieri.

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