BIG Duncan Ferguson is a major injury doubt for Newcastle ahead of tonight's fifth round FA Cup clash at Ewood Park.

The Flying Scot has thrown manager Bobby Robson's plans into turmoil after pulling out of training with a hamstring problem over the weekend.

And though the Geordies have only taken the steps as a precaution, Ferguson's fitness is sure to be a major concern after his £8 million move to Tyneside has been blighted by a catalogue of injury problems.

Ferguson has been in fine form since returning to partner Alan Shearer after a long injury lay-off - they've scored 11 goals between them in Newcastle's last seven matches.

And should his name be missing from tonight's teamsheet against Rovers, that is sure to give Tony Parkes's men a massive psychological boost ahead of their biggest game of the season so far. Promotion still remains the number one goal for Rovers this season but Parkes would relish the chance to cause another upset and meet Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park in the sixth round.

"I honestly don't go along with the theory that three points in the league are more important than a Cup win," said Parkes.

"The next match is all you can focus on and that means Newcastle in the FA Cup for us.

"And we will be going all out to cause another upset.

"The players quite rightly got the credit after we beat Liverpool and if we play well against Newcastle there is no reason why we can't expect a positive result.

"The game has plenty of spice. "We have a couple of ex-Newcastle players in our squad and they will have Alan Shearer and Kevin Gallacher playing for them.

"Alan was a huge hero here and he'll be looking forward to see just what kind of reception he gets from the fans.

"Kevin too did marvellously for Blackburn. He had a couple of injuries but always battled back."

Defender Darren Peacock is also relishing the clash against his former club but he believes Rovers must seize the initiative.

"We've got to take the game to them. We are at home, it will be a great atmosphere and we cannot afford to be scared of anything," said Peacock.

"Ferguson and Shearer are both going pretty well at the minute, as are the team.

"They are both physically strong and, over the past couple of months since Bobby Robson has come in, they've scored a lot of goals.

"But having said that, apart from Saturday's game, we've done quite well defensively so it's going to be a bit of a battle.

"We know what to expect from them but we've got to put that into practice."

Skipper Lee Carsley is expected to return tonight after missing Rovers' 5-1 thumping at Barnsley last week.

And fellow midfielder Jason McAteer, defender Craig Short and winger Keith Gillespie are also pushing for places in the starting line-up. Team (from): Kelly, Grayson, Davidson, Dailly, Peacock, Johnson, Frandsen, Carsley, McAteer, Duff, Ostenstad, Blake, Jansen, Gillespie, Dunn, Short, Broomes, Fettis.

Meanwhile, Alan Shearer is expecting a tough scrap tonight as he returns to face his former club.

"This is a tough game. The way Blackburn played at Liverpool in the last round entitles them to the utmost respect," said Shearer.

"They might be in the First Division but everything suggest they are a Premiership outfit.

"The facilities, the team, the ground, and the staff are all geared for success.

"So it's up to us to stop them getting it in the cup."

Shearer comes face-to-face with his old friend and colleague Tony Parkes but he doesn't intend to let sentiment get in the way of United's quest for a third successive Wembley appearance.

"Tony's a good friend and I still keep in touch and speak to him regularly," said Shearer.

"But I want to finish on the winning team just as badly as he will."

Manager Robson also has injury worries over Nolberto Solano and Kieron Dyer as well as Ferguson ahead of tonight's clash. Play-maker Solano is the biggest doubt after straining a thigh muscle in training.

But former England international Rob Lee is back in the squad after missing United's last couple of games.

Newcastle from: Harper, Barton, Dabizas, Marcelino, Helder, Goma, Pistone, Domi, Hughes, Solano, Dyer, Speed, Lee, Glass, Gallacher, Shearer, Ferguson, Ketsbaia, Given.

The gates open at 6.30pm tonight and fans can see extensive highlights of Rovers' astonishing victory over Liverpool in the last round on Rovervision before the game.

Rovers' Academy Under 19s picked up a brilliant point after a battling 0-0 draw at Manchester United over the weekend.

But the Under 17s couldn't quite match that, narrowly losing 1-0 against the same opposition.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.