SIR Bobby Robson has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is prepared to gamble on the fitness of Craig Bellamy for Newcastle's make-or-break Champions League clash with Feyenoord tonight.

And that could mean good news for Wales manager Mark Hughes as he prepares for next Wednesday's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier with Azerbaijan.

Robson will send his troops into battle at the De Kuip Stadium with the prizes of qualification for the last 16 or a place in the UEFA Cup up for grabs.

And Bellamy, who only returned to full training with the rest of his team-mates yesterday following a recurrence of knee trouble, could be in line for a dramatic recall as the Magpies go for broke in Rotterdam.

Robson admitted that he had made his decision, and although he would not reveal it, he hinted that the importance of victory - or at least a draw - could play a major part in his team selection.

He said: "Craig trained today with no discomfort. We haven't brought him here not to take some part in the game.

"We have a reserve game tonight back in Newcastle and if we felt that was the best way in, that is what we would have done.

"But we have brought him here. He's been out three weeks, but he's trained the last eight or nine days."

Robson played midfielder Kieron Dyer as an auxiliary striker alongside Alan Shearer in the 1-0 Premiership defeat on Saturday at Arsenal, and if Bellamy was to be recalled, he would drop back into midfield.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson is tipping Ruud van Nistelrooy to hit the goal trail again - hopefully in tonight's Champions League encounter with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Dutchman has netted nine times in a stop-start season so far but has failed to score since returning from a hamstring injury.