NEWCASTLE United skipper Alan Shearer insists he won't forsake the combative qualities that brought him a two-match Champions League ban.

The Geordie striker is back for tonight's vital encounter with Bayer Leverkusen at St. James' Park after missing last week's 3-1 victory over the Germans and the December defeat in Barcelona by the same scoreline.

A wayward elbow on Inter Milan defender Fabio Cannavaro, which went unpunished at the time, resulted in Shearer later being found guilty of violent conduct by UEFA's disciplinary panel on video evidence.

Strike partner Craig Bellamy, sent off in the 4-1 home defeat for lashing out at Inter's Marco Materazzi, received a three-match suspension and must wait until United visit the San Siro in just under a fortnight to make his return to European action.

Shearer, who will have Shola Ameobi alongside him tonight, admitted: "It wasn't particularly nice missing those two huge games. I had to sit back and hopefully learn something.

"It's great to be back. I've done my suspension and I accepted it, but I certainly won't change the way I play.

"That's the way I've played for a long time and it's served me well.''

England Under-21 international Ameobi was a two-goal hero in United's win in Leverkusen, and Shearer added: "Shola is improving all the time.

"He's big and strong, not many people push him off the ball and the good thing about him is he wants to get better and he wants to learn.

"He's a great character and he works very hard to improve, as do the rest of the squad.

"We know we need to win this game, and we believe we can.''

Robson, who will have one eye on the outcome of Inter's home game against group leaders Barca, said: "It's all in the melting pot, but if we don't win our game, maybe our chances of progressing will go. They would certainly be very slim indeed, so it's crucial we win.''

Former Nottingham Forest and England striker Tony Woodcock, who now lives in Germany, predicted another comfortable Newcastle victory.

"Don't be fooled by Leverkusen's 2-1 win over Hanover at the weekend,'' said Woodcock.

"Leverkusen could have been five down at half-time, they got a late equaliser and a last-minute winner.

"The hierarchy there were so relieved that one of them said the win was a gift from god. They won't damage Newcastle.''

Midfielder Hugo Viana, whose last start was nearly three months ago in the Inter game, is back in contention after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Winger Nolberto Solano could return following a thigh injury, while striker Lomana LuaLua - United's other scorer in Leverkusen - is also fit after picking up a similar problem at the BayArena, and will be on the bench.

Meanwhile, Robson revealed that midfielder Jermaine Jenas's Achilles injury is not as bad as first feared and he has an outside chance of being fit for next Wednesday's rearranged derby game at Middlesbrough

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.