Inter Milan coach Hector Cuper will be fighting to salvage his job as the Italian giants look to shake off their derby blues against Newcastle United tonight.

Cuper, the highly-respected Argentinian, who steered Valencia to the Champions' League finals of 2000 and 2001, was heavily criticised by Inter president Massimo Moratti following Saturday's 1-0 defeat to AC Milan.

Moratti was furious with Cuper's decision to leave captain Javier Zanetti on the bench and omit striker Hernan Crespo from his squad against Milan after they had played for Argentina in Japan last Wednesday. Cupe is fast earning a reputation as European football's nearly man after losing both finals with Valencia and seeing his Real Mallorca side beaten in the 1999 European Cup Winners' Cup final by Lazio at Villa Park.

Then, in May, Inter were pipped to the Serie A title on the last day of the Italian league season.

The Milan derby results added to the pressure already on Cuper, but he said: "I haven't spoken to the president since the weekend.

"I've been concentrating 100 per cent on the Newcastle game and I don't see how the derby will affect this match. We did very well last season and we shouldn't be disappointed that we just missed out on winning the title."

Cuper warmed up for tonight's game by telling Alan Shearer that Crespo is a better striker than the Newcastle captain.

Crespo, 27, is one of world football's most feared marksmen, with 103 goals in just 178 appearances against miserly Serie A defences. Cuper said: "Hernan Crespo is a very good striker and he's very important to this team, especially in the Champions' league.

"Alan Shearer is a good player in a good side, but I think Crespo is a better player."

Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo insists he has no fears about lining up in front of a hostile St James' Park crowd this evening as Newcastle look to make a winning start to their Group A campaign.

Italy international Toldo said: "I've never been to this ground before, but I don't think I will be intimidated by the stadium.

"We play in big stadia in Italy every week and I don't think intimidation will be a factor."

Former Everton defence Marco Materazzi is likely to return after missing the game with Milan.