By Matthew Jones
August 30 2002

Striker Craig Bellamy has insisted he will be raring to go in time for Newcastle's first Champions League game on 18 September. Striker Craig Bellamy has insisted he will be raring to go in time for Newcastle's first Champions League game on 18 September.

And the PFA Young Player of the Year is even hoping to make the bench for Monday's trip to Liverpool, having finally recovered from a long-standing knee injury.

Bellamy has had to watch as Lomana LuaLua has taken his chance up front with both hands so far this season.

But the Welshman is determined to be back in harness for the trip to Dynamo Kiev on 18 September - the beginning of what he feels can be a successful campaign in the group stages of the Champions League.

"The games against Juventus will be like two cup finals for us and you never know what will happen," he said.

"None of the games are going to be easy, but we have a chance. We are quite capable of taking points off Feyenoord and Dynamo Kiev.

"Kiev are not nearly the same threat they were three or four years ago and I think we can go to Rotterdam and beat Feyenoord.

"I think at the very least we will finish third and go through to the Uefa Cup, but we will be aiming for the second group stage of the Champions League."