ALAN SHEARER believes Newcastle United have a "massive opportunity'' to reach their third FA Cup final in five seasons.

The Magpies face an away tie with either Darlington or Peterborough in the fourth round after beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at St. James' Park on Saturday.

And skipper Shearer, on the losing side in Wembley finals against Arsenal in 1998 and Manchester United in '99, as well as in a semi-final with Chelsea under the Twin Towers two years ago, has the scent of another all-the-way run.

It is almost 47 years since Newcastle last won the Cup, but Shearer said: "With the number of Premiership clubs already out, and those who will go out in the next round, there's a massive opportunity to take the bull by the horns.

"We've got the pedigree from recent years. There isn't a greater feeling than embarking on a good cup run - and there isn't a worse feeling than reaching the final and not performing.

"It's a good draw for Newcastle and equally so for Darlington or Peterborough.''

Olivier Bernard, whose Newcastle career was rescued by a successful loan spell with the Quakers last season, said: "To go back to Feethams so soon with Newcastle would be wonderful. I made a lot of friends at Darlington.''

* Confusion surrounding the future of Lee Clark eased last night after his agent reassured Fulham the midfielder is not looking to tie up a move to Glasgow Rangers, writes ALISTAIR GRANT.

The news will come as a relief to Cottagers supporters after a day of uncertainty, in which the 29-year-old was quoted apparently revealing he was in talks with the Ibrox giants.

Fulham sources said there were no ongoing discussions and nor had there even been an approach from the SPL outfit.

And Clark's furious representative Paul Stretford added: ''There has been no contact between the clubs - and Lee only signed a new long-term contract at Fulham in the summer.

''I would like to state unequivocally that Lee has not spoken to anyone in the media and given any quotes with reference to Rangers, his future at Fulham or any topic regarding his career.''

Former Newcastle and Sunderland star Clark was reported as saying: ''The first I heard about Rangers' interest was at the end of last week. Talks are continuing at the moment and I hope everything will be sorted out by the end of the week.''

But Stretford insisted: ''Lee has given no quotes to any media with regards to his footballing future.''

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