CRAIG BELLAMY has been defended by Bob Moncur, the last Newcastle United captain to lift a trophy, as the irascible striker faces another ban.

Moncur refused to condemn Bellamy for his outburst at the officials following Wednesday's derby defeat by Middlesbrough after referee Andy D'Urso reported the Wales international's comments to the Football Association.

Bellamy, whose short fuse has cost him two Champions League suspensions this season, will probably be charged by the FA with using abusive or insulting words to match officials.

But Moncur felt there were extenuating circumstances that excused the behaviour of the 23-year-old, who was among a posse of Newcastle players to surround the officials.

The Scot, who led the Magpies to the 1969 Fairs Cup, said: "Normally, I'd say Craig shouldn't have done that, but this time I think he had a bit of an excuse."

Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer criticised D'Urso for his performance.

Robson said last night: "We have no documentation and I can only comment if and when we get some information."

An FA spokesman added: "We have received Andy D'Urso's report and we will consider its contents before deciding whether further action will be taken."

Meanwhile, Jermaine Jenas sounded a Champions League battle cry last night as he insisted Newcastle would not be suffering from a derby hangover when they meet Internazionale in the San Siro next Tuesday.

Jenas said: "The Middlesbrough result was disappointing but we won't let it affect us when we play Inter Milan.

"We've kept the Premiership and Europe separate all season and there's no reason for that to change. We know it's a massive game but we've had them all season, so that won't affect us."

Jenas, 19, came through the midweek match unscathed after being sidelined for nearly a fortnight with an Achilles injury.

He added: "It's great to be back. I felt fine in the game and that's a big boost.

"I've not been thinking about being in the next England squad, but I don't want to give anyone an excuse not to pick me.

"If I'd been struggling for fitness I might not have been included, which I obviously hope to be."

Robson is confident Gary Speed, who picked up an ankle injury at Middlesbrough, will be fit for the crucial clash with Inter, even though he did not train yesterday.

Nobby Solano and Hugo Viana should be fully fit after both were struck down by a virus, while Kieron Dyer has not suffered a recurrence of his shin problem.

Newcastle yesterday wrote off their £4m investment in Christian Bassedas's contract when they paid up the Argentinian midfielder's contract