SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night insisted Newcastle United will be able to bounce back from the heartbreak of missing out on Champions League football next season writes Paul Fraser.

The Magpies boss, whose side now must face up to the strong prospect of even failing to finish fifth, admitted that if they do not book a place in the UEFA Cup it will be a 'disaster' for the club.

But the experienced Newcastle chief, whose side are one point adrift of Aston Villa going into the final day of the campaign on Saturday, believes the St James' Park outfit will carry on regardless.

"It will be a disaster if we finish sixth," said Robson, whose side have only won two away Premiership games. "Fourth spot was not lost on this result at Southampton, it was over the course of a season.

"It's a blow to us financially and to our prestige. It's not the end of this massive club. It's not over, we have a difficult game at Liverpool but Villa have a difficult game against Manchester United.

"When we beat Chelsea a few weeks ago everything was fine. Then there were poor results against Manchester City, Marseille, Wolves and now here.

"But we've enjoyed this year. The Champions League is the blue riband, but we have still played 12 matches in the UEFA Cup and we will see what Saturday brings."

Despite the financial blow Robson revealed he still intends to strengthen in the summer.

But he claimed that his old-campaigners, Gary Speed and Alan Shearer, can be replaced once they decide to hang up their boots.

"There's always another car in the garage," said the 71-year-old. "Shearer and Speed have another year at least. I've got another 33 and that could be minutes!

"If we are sensible with our budget we will be alright. We need a couple of faces and I'm sure we'll do something about that."

After witnessing an all-action Premiership clash at St Mary's, Robson was left wondering how his side had not returned to the North-East with all three points.

"Football is a mysterious game and you can't work it out," he added. "We gave everything second half; their keeper has made a world-class save and he made two other great saves. We did everything we could."