By Matthew Jones
September 24 2002

Welsh striker Craig Bellamy has fired a warning to his team-mates stating that the Premiership League is still more important than Europe. Welsh striker Craig Bellamy has fired a warning to his team-mates stating that the Premiership League is still more important than Europe.

Altohugh he admits that he is looking forward to taking on Feyenoord tonight and then Juventus in a few weeks lime, he says that Newcastle need to concentrate on the Premiership and make sure that they finish in the top 4 during every season in the top-flight so that the qualify for the Champions League.

United boss Sir Bobby Robson, with one eye on Saturday's trip to Birmingham, is even threatening to rest Alan Shearer. The Newcastle skipper's omission would still be a surprise against the Dutch, but Bellamy clearly shares his manager's priorities.

"It's important that we're in the competition every hear because you can't improve as a team if you're in one year and out the next," he said. "You can't bridge the gap again once you've missed out for a season and Leeds proved the point after their great run in the Champions League a couple of years ago."

Bellamy added: "We can't underestimate how important it is to qualify next year. Otherwise, the learning curve ends and we won't progress as a club. The Champions League must be an annual event for Newcastle and getting there again is my main aim this season."