LEE BOWYER, whose arrival at Newcastle United this summer was heavily criticised, reckons he will get a warm reception when he makes his St James' Park debut tonight.

Bowyer, the controversial midfielder who is serving a six-match European ban for stamping on an opponent's head, was loudly booed by fans in Malaysia during the recent Asia Cup and at Sheffield Wednesday last Friday.

But he expects the Toon Army to give him their unequivocal support as he lines up against Bayern Munich this evening in Newcastle's final pre-season friendly.

Bowyer said: "I'm looking forward to running out at St James' Park.

"I've had a bit of stick from the Geordie fans when I've been playing for Leeds in the past, but they will be on my side now."

Newcastle have wrapped a protective arm around the 26-year-old since he joined on a free transfer last month, such was the storm of protest that greeted his signature.

While fellow Leeds old boy Jonathan Woodgate has been forgiven for previous misdemeanours off the pitch, Bowyer is still vilified by opposing fans for incidents during his chequered past.

However, he is concentrating solely on succeeding with Newcastle - and believes he will help to end the Magpies' 34-year trophy drought.

Bowyer said: "I've come here to win things and I believe we can win things.

"This is a great team with great players and everybody in the country now knows that Newcastle United are pushing for honours.

"The prospect of achievement was the big thing which attracted me to St James' Park.

"The opinion on Newcastle United from elsewhere in the country is that this is a club really going places and challenging for top honours.

"Speaking personally, I thought that Newcastle had a real chance of nicking the championship last season until that home game with Manchester United.

"But we've finished fourth and third in the last two seasons, and this season we can really put the pressure on the top two as well as going for the cups."

Bowyer is precluded from playing in Newcastle's next half-a-dozen European fixtures because he was banned for clashing with Malaga midfielder Gerardo during last season's UEFA Cup tie with Leeds United.

He remains confident, however, that he can have a major impact in this year's Champions League - a competition in which he reached the semi-final stage with Leeds in 2001.

Bowyer added: "Obviously, I would rather be available to play in the European games, but it's a long season and there is a big and good squad here.

"I've spoken about this with the boss and we've said that I'll be able to play and rest, so it won't be any great harm in that respect.

"I've got a good bit of European experience, and when you've played in Europe at those levels you want more and more.

"But I'm sure the lads will still be going strong when I'm available for the final two group games."

Nobby Solano last night welcomed Bowyer's arrival at St James' Park - even though the Peru winger's place is under threat from his new teammate.

Solano said: "I can't think about the situation individually because it's a squad game, and signing Bowyer is good for Newcastle as a club.

"Lee is a fine player with good pace and is good for the squad. It's competition for me on the right and that can only be good.

"I enjoy the competition, and in a big team you need two players for every place.

"That's now happening at Newcastle. We have so many games to play that we need that."

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