ROBERT Lee will be tailed by his own shadow when he returns today to Upton Park, the ground where he used to help out as a kid.

Waiting to pounce on his Newcastle place is Chilean international Clarence Acuna, who was described yesterday as a "younger Robert Lee" by boss Bobby Robson.

Lee, 34, is already looking over his shoulder and he can sense the competition, but he said: "It won't be the first time I've had to fight for my place.

"Acuna is an international and he can obviously play. But I've got great belief in my own ability and without being big-headed I'm good at what I do.

"You've got to live with the competition. It's the manager's decision but age is not catching up with me yet."

Acuna, 25, has impressed Robson since he flew into Tyneside a week ago after completing his £1m move from University of Chile.

The South American is sure to win at least a place on the bench at Upton Park as he presses for a Premiership debut.

Robson said: "He looks class. From what I've seen of him we've bought well.

He's experienced and strong, and he puts in a good shift, gets in tackles and passes well.

"He has the quality of David Batty but with more vision and he gets from box to box. In fact he's just like Robert Lee when he was younger. At that price he was too good to miss."

Acuna was banned for three months earlier this year after allegedly taking an illegal substance.

But the Newcastle boss said: "He has played five games in a row for his former club, the last of them 15 days ago, and he's match fit."

Robson could have four South Americans involved against the Hammers as Newcastle bid to end their wretchedly poor run in the capital.

Acuna and Cristian Bassedas are both pushing to join Nolberto Solano and Daniel Cordone in the side, although Cordone is under pressure himself from Lomana Lualua.

The Geordies have not won in London for 19 games but their away form so far this season has been more impressive than displays at St James' Park.

Lee explained: "Clubs like Everton and Charlton came and sat back, but away from home teams are more prepared to come at us.

"Having said that West Ham don't deserve to be where they are and we are in for a tough game."

Robson doesn't believe in a capital jinx and has told his players he expects them to bounce back from last week's unexpected defeat by Everton.

"Going to London is not a psychological problem for me," he said. "I won a few times there with Ipswich and a few times at Wembley as well. We can't afford to have any hang-ups about it."

Spanish defender Marcelino cried off yesterday with a groin twinge and that is likely to mean a debut start for Scottish Under 21 defender Steve Caldwell.

Caldwell, 20, impressed when he came on as a subsitute at Manchester City a month ago and Robson said: "He didn't let me down that day and I've got faith in the boy. He's a winner."

Andy Griffin, out for a month with thigh trouble, may have to play if Didier Domi fails to recover from a virus.

Meanwhile, Lualua can't wait to show the Hammers what they missed after they gave him a trial and then showed him the door.

That happened when the Zaire-born striker was a youngster, and even though West Ham realised their mistake they were still too slow to pip Newcastle to his £2.25m signature.

"I know they were keen on him because they had him watched a lot, just as we did," said Robson.

l Harry Redknapp has insisted he will not ''do a Bobby Robson'' and stay in football management beyond the age of 60.

West Ham boss Redknapp is 53 while today's adversary Robson is 67.

Although Redknapp admires Robson, he does not want to put his family through too many more years of life with a football manager, and plans to retire by the time he is 60.

''Bobby's enthusiasm is fantastic,'' said Redknapp. ''I admire him, but I cannot see myself following his lead. I have been in football management for 20 years and it is a great business, but I don't want to still be in it when I am 60.

''I want to do other things, particularly giving some time back to my wife Sandra and my family.

''I am a nightmare to live with when West Ham lose. I feel so low when I leave the ground, it is like someone has died in my family. I don't really pull out of it until Sunday night, when I have to think about going into training the next morning in the right frame of mind.

''I care so much about winning that I am in another world if we lose. But I suppose that if I didn't care so much it would be time to pack it in.

''I am not good company for my wife at times like that, although on the other hand I am really buzzing and on a high when we win.''

Redknapp is hoping he will be buzzing tonight, and his team need three points to climb away from the wrong end of the table.

But he said: ''I have no doubts things will turn around and a couple of wins will lift us right up the table.