NEWCASTLE United manager Sir Bobby Robson tonight makes an emotional return to the scene of his "worst moment in football'', demanding that his side salvage their reputation against the might of Juventus.

Robson admits that the Champions' League occasion will send a shiver down his spine in evoking memories of his biggest professional heartache.

England, and a certain Paul Gascoigne in particular, wept tears of sorrow here in Turin when they were infamously beaten by West Germany in a penalty shoot-out in the last four of the 1990 World Cup.

As England boss, Robson could only manage a rueful grin after Stuart Pearce, who later joined Newcastle, and United legend Chris Waddle both failed from the spot with disastrous consequences.

It was Robson's penultimate game as national coach and one he will never forget for all the wrong reasons.

But the 69-year-old United boss insists he is eagerly anticipating his first return to the Stadio Delle Alpi for a match that could make, or virtually break, the Magpies' European hopes.

"I had an unfortunate night the last time I was here,'' said Robson. "It was my worst moment in football.

"I shall always remember that game; I haven't been back since.

"We didn't get the result we deserved in 1990. I'm over that now, though I'll never forget it.

"But I'm here under different circumstances. That was a World Cup game, but this one is almost as big.

"This is about the reputation of Newcastle United as a Premiership club.

"Having got where we are by finishing fourth last season, we very much need to be in that top section again, looking to get into Europe every year.

"We've tasted it and we like it, but everybody wants the same thing. The likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham all want to be where we are.

"That's why we have to make sure we don't fail in both the Champions' League and the Premiership.''

With striker Craig Bellamy beginning a three-match European ban, and United needing at least a point against Group E leaders Juventus to maintain any realistic expectation of reaching the next phase, Robson is considering pushing Kieron Dyer forward into an attacking link role behind skipper Alan Shearer.

That would mean a place in midfield for either Jermaine Jenas or Hugo Viana alongside the vastly-experienced Gary Speed.

Robson is ready to take a calculated risk with the fitness of Dyer and Laurent Robert.

Both players came through training last night with no ill-effects after giving initial cause for concern with respective Achilles and hamstring niggles.

United are searching for their first point in the competition after losing opening games away to Dynamo Kiev and at home to Feyenoord.

Robson said: "I left my wide men, Robert and Nolberto Solano, out of the starting line-up in Kiev.

"But I brought them back for the Feyenoord game and we'll operate with the same crop of players.

"I'm happy with Shola Ameobi and Lomana LuaLua, and I can always play Dyer up front with Alan, because we have two, good young midfield players in Hugo and Jermaine.

"They have only been getting a sniff of things lately and it's extremely difficult leaving them out.

"But everyone has seen how well Kieron and Gary Speed have been playing. Gary has been massive for us in the last three games against Sunderland, Feyenoord and Birmingham.

"He was as good as anyone on the pitch at Birmingham on Saturday, and Dyer was outstanding. I thought he was our dynamo. Jermaine and Hugo are both 19 and they will have to be patient, but they will get a lot of football this season, and I know if I put them in they won't let us down.''

Robson reckons Juve, coached by Marcello Lippi, epitomise the quality of Italian football.

"I think Juve, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma, Lazio and Parma, are six clubs who are as big and as powerful as any in Europe.''

Frenchman Robert, reportedly attracting the interest of Inter, is set to make his 50th appearance for United.

Rookie striker Michael Chopra, 18, a product of United's academy, has travelled with the squad, but Robson said: "I've brought him along for the experience. I don't think for a moment that he will be involved.''

Newcastle (possible): Given; Griffin, O'Brien, Dabizas, Hughes; Solano, Jenas, Speed, Robert; Dyer; Shearer.

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