Premier League farewell: Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview

NEWCASTLE winger Stephen Glass is hoping to use Blackburn Rovers as a stepping stone to a Wembley place in next Saturday's FA Cup final.

Rovers boss Brian Kidd has stressed to his own players that tomorrow's final Premiership match at Newcastle is far from being a meaningless affair.

And, for Rudd Gullit's side, it could hardly have more significance, with their FA Cup final clash with Manchester United just days away.

But that causes the Tyneside boss a few headaches.

He has to decide whether to play anyone carrying a niggling injury but he also has the problem of getting others - such as Glass - match fit.

The former Aberdeen winger is hoping that will give him the nod to help see off Rovers' Premiership existence with a bit of style for the Geordie fans.

And, at the same time, he wants to be the man who provides the ammunition for the likes of Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson at Wembley. Glass thought his season was over when he was stretchered off at St James's Park in February with a knee injury.

But he picked himself up from that shattering blow and made a surprise re-appearance as a substitute against Leicester City at Filbert Street last weekend.

"It was great to get back on the pitch again last weekend and a real bonus to play for as long as I did," he said.

"I'm just looking to do well in training over the next couple of days and put myself in the frame for the Rovers match.

"But it all depends on the manager's plans.

"Now I've played a half, I'm looking to play at least the same again.

"Mentally I feel fine after such a long time out and now I suppose it's up to the manager."

Gullit would like to have a match-fit Glass available, as one of the best crossers of the ball in the Premiership.

He could revel in the wide-open spaces of Wembley and provide the ideal service for Newcastle's main strikers.

Glass is banking on being able to dazzle relegated Rovers tomorrow and then hope he has done enough to persuade his manager to give him the green light for Wembley. "I had no reaction to the injury after the 45 minutes at Leicester last week," he said.

"And it was important for my confidence that I got to play in the game."

The winger replaced Peruvian Nolberto Solano at Filbert Street and could get a starting place against Rovers, for the first time since his injury.

Gullit always keeps his selections a closely-guarded secret and that is unlikely to change with the big day at Wembley so close.

While Shearer is expected to play and will be looking for goals against his old club, Shay Given might have to sit this one out as Steve Harper is in pole position at the moment.

Home fans will be looking for clues as to Newcastle's likely final team. But Rovers supporters would simply enjoy seeing their team finish a disastrous season on a high - with their first League win at St James's Park for 41 years.

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