SIR BOBBY ROBSON has warned any clubs interested in taking Hugo Viana on loan that it must be on Newcastle United's terms.

And the Magpies chief also advised his stars who are becoming frustrated with lack of first team action to stop moaning.

Robson recently indicated that Newcastle are willing to allow Viana to move out temporarily to a European club to keep him happy.

But now it seems the Portguese boy wonder will remain at St James' Park until the end of January at least.

"I will consider letting him go out on loan, I haven't promised anything because it will depend on injuries," said Robson, who paid £8.5m for the former European Young Footballer of the Year.

"We are OK at the minute but nobody knows what we are going to be like in January, February or March.

"If we get two midfield players injured and one of our best players is out on loan we'd be in trouble, so we have to watch out.

"We'll view it week to week and I don't have to make a decision about Hugo Viana, I won't listen to him, until the end of January when I'll see what the position is then. I won't be pressured by anybody into letting him go."

As well as Viana, centre-back Steve Caldwell has suggested he is ready to quit Tyneside if he is not given more Premiership action.

But with Jonathan Woodgate, Titus Bramble and Andy O'Brien all ahead of the Scotland international in the pecking order his chances look bleak.

Peruvian Nolberto Solano and Congo DR's Lomana LuaLua have also had their run-ins with Robson over international breaks.

But the Newcastle chief said: "They don't say anything when they sign their contracts in the summer. When they ask for contracts and we give them them, I think players should be reminded about that.

"They are quite happy to sign new and better contracts then aren't they? If they had an argument about being in the side they wouldn't have signed would they?

"I understand their situations. But we can only play 11 from the start and 18 on European nights, which does help.

"We are actually lucky to have players like that because it means we only have Lee Bowyer and Craig Bellamy injured."

Newcastle, who welcome Tottenham to the North-East this afternoon, were drawn against Norwegian minnows Valerenga in yesterday's UEFA Cup third round draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

Valerenga, managed by Kjetil Rekdaal, have scored just one and conceded one in their first two UEFA Cup matches with AZ Graz and Wisla Krakow; and they were the lowest ranked team in the draw.

Robson was more than happy with the opposition, although he revealed he knows very little about them.

"I'm very satisfied with it," said Robson, whose side travel to Norway for the first leg in late February. "I didn't want to go to Moscow in the winter, although it will be cold in Norway as it happens. Turkey was another possibility and Auxerre, so it's very satisfying.

"I don't know anything about Valerenga. But they have knocked two teams out just like we have.

"I think they got into the competition by winning the Norwegian Cup. We have to remember that football in Scandinavia has improved so it will be tough."

Meanwhile, Robson has told his defence to be aware of threat of Tottenham's front two today.

Newcastle have lost just once in nine Premiership matches and they have not lost at St James' Park in their last six.

But Robson, who hopes his side strengthen their bid for a Champions League place with victory this afternoon, insists Robbie Keane and Frederic Kanoute will be a big threat.

"We have dropped points at home and we were disappointed with the result against Liverpool on Saturday," said Robson. "But we were not disappointed with the performance.

"This is a big game for us, it's a monumental game, because we need to really push on now. If we want to finish fourth then we have got to start to pull our socks up.

"There's still Fulham in there challenging and then there are Liverpool, Manchester City and Charlton pushing hard. Tottenham are also still hovering around actually.

"Tottenham have Robbie Keane of course who is a right Mr Trickster. He can peel off defenders' shoulders and then feint the other way.

"They also have Kanoute up front and I really like him.

"He is a big strong boy and he is awkward to deal with. Our two centre-backs have got a tough afternoon."