Shay Given has told Newcastle United to forget about the trauma of losing at Wigan and get their European bid back on track by bagging three points against Middlesbrough.

The Tyne-Tees derby at St James' Park is a crucial encounter for Glenn Roeder and United who know their hopes of playing in Europe next season rest on the next 10 games - unless they go all the way in the UEFA Cup by clinching the trophy at Hampden Park.

However, the United faithful know that a massive improvement on the performance at the JJB Stadium is needed if they are to even get a sniff of a European place again via the league.

But Given is refusing to beat himself up over the 1-0 defeat in Lancashire. "We can't be too hard on ourselves," he said.

"We've still got a chance of getting into Europe, and we've got to push on against Middlesbrough and hopefully get the three points."

Newcastle also face the possibility of losing their status as the North East's No 1 club, with defeat at home to Boro certain to see the Teessiders overtake them in the Premiership table.

And Given is under no illusions as to what sort of task is in front of them with Boro on a high after winning three Premiership points against Reading and progressing into the last eight of the FA Cup.

Given added: "They've turned things around a little, so it's going to be a tough game.

"But our home form's been pretty good this season, so hopefully that will continue tomorrow."

Given will be playing his first home game since injuring his groin against West Ham in January on a day when fans chanted his name as he hobbled off.

On his return at the JJB Stadium the 5,400- strong travelling Toon Army did exactly the same during the warm-up and throughout the game.

Now Given wants to use the Boro game to make things up to them for the disappointment of last weekend.

He says: "The fans were brilliant at Wigan and I'm not just saying that.

"They filled the whole stand and we were disappointed because we felt we could get something from the game - a draw if not a victory.

"And we want to use the game with Boro to get all of that out of our systems."