NEWCASTLE manager Bobby Robson has revealed how much he is relishing his first managerial meeting with Peterborough's ebullient boss Barry Fry.

"There is going to be some fun on the touchline," predicted Robson, who believes the romance of the FA Cup will be woven into tomorrow's fourth-round tie at a sell-out London Road.

Robson has been in the management game for 33 years but has yet to cross swords with the larger-than-life Fry, who hopes to plot one of the great shocks in front of the Sky TV cameras.

The Magpies' boss raised a smile of his own yesterday when he inadvertently warned his Premiership side to watch out for a "banana blip" against the Second Division minnows.

He joked: "I've managed to keep out of Barry's way so far but I'm going to enjoy the banter with him on Sunday.

"I'm sure his comments will be funnier than mine!

"He has been a colourful character and a great manager at the lower levels. Those guys do a great job for our industry. They don't travel around in BMWs on massive salaries, but they do remarkable things.

"Ask John Gregory which was the more difficult job, Villa or Wycombe?

"Where Barry operates it's all about survival, working on a low budget and trying to keep his head above water.

"I know what it means to Peterborough because the money from this tie will protect the club for a couple of years and I think that's great."

Fry, a past master when it comes to rattling the opposition, has already tried to put the wind up Newcastle by suggesting the Geordies won't fancy playing on what he claims is the worst pitch in the league.

But Robson laughed off the attempt at psychological warfare and said: "He hasn't seen St James' Park, has he?

"We might have a few more light bulbs than they have, but their pitch is like Wembley compared to ours!

"It's going to be a physical, mental and technical test for us and we will need to come out on top in all three areas.

"The last round of the cup again showed there are no formalities. I'm sure Southampton didn't expect to go to Rotherham and lose, and imagine how Peterborough United would feel if they knocked us out.

"It's the romance of the cup but we have to make sure it doesn't happen to us."

Newcastle, who lost at home to the Posh in the third round 40 years ago, are vulnerable this time because they will be without suspended duo Laurent

Robert and Nikos Dabizas, while influential midfielder Gary Speed is out for three weeks with a broken toe and Robert Lee has yet to recover from a troublesome groin injury.

Robson admits his side will miss Welsh international skipper Speed in particular.

He said: "I don't think Gary has played better than he has done in the last ten weeks. He has been great for us and he's going to be a big miss.

"I let Christian Bassedas go out on loan (to Tenerife) because we had five central midfielders.

"Now we are down to two and a little stretched.''

Alan Shearer, meanwhile, insists the result comes first as he homes in on Jackie Milburn's record of 23 FA Cup goals for the Magpies.

Shearer hopes to add to his 17-goal tally in the competition on his first visit to London Road.

However, the Newcastle skipper warned: "We may be favourites to go through, but Peterborough will have something to say about that.

"Make no mistake, this is a tough tie for us.

"We knew that once we got to January and February we would pick up injuries and suspensions, and now we will find out just how good our squad is.

"I would be delighted to score but happier still if we win and get through."

Frenchman Olivier Bernard will replace £10m fellow countryman Robert, with Robson insisting: "He won't let us down."

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