PETER BEARDSLEY yesterday warned Newcastle United fans to brace themselves for a classic cut-and-thrust FA Cup duel with Kevin Keegan's Manchester City.

The emotional return of "Messiah'' Keegan, who sensationally quit Newcastle as manager five years ago, was the talk of the Toon yesterday. Keegan will pit his managerial wits against Magpies' boss Bobby Robson for the first time in a battle between the only two men to have taken charge of both Newcastle and England.

Beardsley, who played alongside Keegan at St James' Park in the early 80s, and under him a decade later, said: "It has all the ingredients to be one of the great cup ties."

Keegan, dubbed the "Messiah'' by Geordie fans, is assured of a royal welcome when he brings his City side to Tyneside for the fifth-round clash on Sunday, February 17.

It will be his first competitive return since he shook Newcastle to its core by walking out in January 1997. Keegan has been back since, for Beardsley's testimonial three years ago.

And Beardsley promised: "Kevin will get an incredible reception. Bobby Robson and Kevin are both special people and they are held in the highest esteem throughout the world.

"They have both worked wonders for Newcastle. Kevin still loves the city and Bobby always has done.

"They both realise what the fans want to see here, and this tie has come at just the right time with both teams playing some fabulous football. It should be a classic and I expect all hell to break loose in the next few weeks.

"The match will dominate the city of Newcastle and I only wish I could still be part of it.

"Kevin has never been back for a competitive game and there'll be a lot of very happy Geordies this week. It'll be a very emotional day for everyone and I've no doubt Kevin will get a marvellous reception from the fans.''

BBC will screen the tie live, with either a 1pm or 7pm kick-off.

Mark Jensen, editor of Newcastle fanzine 'The Mag,' said: "Watching the draw you just knew it was going to be City, and that's what makes the Cup great.

"Kevin is going to get a huge reception. Anybody who tries to say he has not been the most influential figure at this club over the last 20 or 30 years is totally wrong.''

Jensen said that old boy Stuart Pearce, 39, would also be warmly welcomed. "There is quite a bit of affection for Pearce because he was badly treated by Ruud Gullit and he's still doing a job for City now.''

Robson said: "We have scored 72 goals and they have scored over 80 so it's a fair bet there will be plenty of goals on the day. The whole place is buzzing. It's a real cracker."

l Spanish misfit Marcelino has been told he still has a future at Newcastle - but only because they can't sack him or sell him!

The injury-prone defender has cost Newcastle a staggering £700,000 a game since his £6m arrival from Real Mallorca on £20,000 a week in the summer of 1999.

But United have failed in a legal bid to get him off the books and now they can't sell him because the Spanish transfer window has closed. Bobby Robson now wants Marcelino to fight for his fitness - and a first-team place.

Robson said: "We need him back and playing. If a club wants to take him on loan, I would agree to that.

"But he cost a lot of money and he has not burnt his boats here. He may have had a disastrous spell, but the guy can play and he can still be an important part of this club."

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