A DEFIANT Lee Bowyer has insisted that Newcastle will have nothing to fear when they enter one of European football's most hostile arenas on Thursday night.

The Magpies, who boast a 100 per cent record on continental soil this season, will fly out to Greece this morning ahead of their UEFA Cup last 16 clash with Olympiakos.

But, while last month's success in Heerenveen proved the club's European pedigree, this week's excursion will take United into far less welcoming climes.

A capacity crowd of 33,300 will pack into Olympiakos' Georgios Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens determined to give Newcastle's players a reception they will not forget.

The Greek club's fans have lived up to their reputation for violence and aggression this season, with a pitch invasion in a recent game against Panionios resulting in a banning order that has forced Olympiakos to play their last four home games behind closed doors.

More disorder forced a five-minute halt in last weekend's 1-1 draw at PAOK Salonika and, while the Greek authorities are confident this week's game will pass without incident, the United squad have been warned to expect a rough ride in two days' time.

Bowyer's combative style means he is likely to come in for his fair share of abuse but, rather than running scared of what lies in wait, the midfielder has pledged to use his European experience to strengthen his resolve.

Five years ago, he was part of the Leeds United side that played in Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium less than 24 hours after two of the club's supporters had been stabbed to death on the streets of Istanbul.

Turkish police officers had to form a human shield to protect Leeds' players from the missiles that were raining down from the stands and, after surviving that, the 28-year-old is confident he can handle whatever lies in wait.

"People have said that it will be like going to Galatasaray," said Bowyer, who also came in for constant abuse when he made his Newcastle debut at Elland Road in August 2003. "But that doesn't daunt me.

"I have played at Galatasaray and it wasn't a nice place, but it isn't something that frightens me.

"The home fans will be hostile but we're not playing them. It's about what we do on the pitch.

"The atmosphere will be fantastic and I'm looking forward to it. We have a good atmosphere at St James', but this will be different.

"It will be a challenge, but you want to play the best teams in the toughest places. I'm relishing the challenge and the rest of the players feel the same."

Leeds' 2-0 defeat in Turkey dashed Bowyer's dreams of a European final, and the one-time England international suffered similar disappointment in Marseille last year.

With Newcastle just 90 minutes away from the UEFA Cup final, Sir Bobby Robson's side were punished by an in-form Didier Drogba as they froze in the Stade Velodrome.

Last season's European run proved what was possible and, while Olympiakos represent a significant hurdle to be cleared, success would leave United among the favourites for this year's competition.

Spanish side Villareal currently head the betting but, while the likes of CSKA Moscow and Parma are still in the hunt, this year's UEFA Cup lacks some of the star names that have done so well in the past.

"I think we have got a great chance of winning the UEFA Cup this season," said Bowyer. "I really do.

"We got to the semi-finals last year and I can see no reason why we can't go one better this time. Our aim is to win the competition and I think it's a realistic aim.

"This will be our biggest challenge in the competition so far but, if we play like we have been doing recently, we will be fine."

Newcastle will be buoyed by the fact that they have scored in every one of their European games this season - a run Bowyer is keen to maintain in Greece.

"We are always capable of getting a goal," he said. "And the aim will be to get one over there.

"When you have someone like Alan Shearer in your team, you are always a threat going forward.

"Now that the midfielders have started chipping in - Laurent, Kieron and myself have all scored recently - we will be confident of getting something."

l Brazilian star Rivaldo is expected to shake off an ankle injury to take his place in the Olympiakos starting line-up on Thursday

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