KEVIN Gallacher today warned his Newcastle team-mates they could be in for a rocky ride at Ewood in the FA Cup on Monday night.

The Scottish international striker, who became Bobby Robson's first signing when he quit Blackburn for St James's earlier in the season, is preparing to face his old club for the first time.

And, though he admits it's sure to be an emotional occasion, there will be no place for sentiment on Monday night.

"If we expect it to be easy then we could fall flat on our faces," warned Gallacher.

"So we certainly won't be taking Blackburn lightly.

"I know from my own time there, Ewood can be a formidable place to come and get a result.

"It's a big, big game for both clubs because the FA Cup is a special competition.

"And it's going to be emotional for me - but only for about the first 10 or 15 minutes.

"Then, once things settle down, that will go out of the window."

Gallacher is one of three ex-Rovers in Robson's expensively assembled Newcastle squad, together with Alan Shearer and Shay Given.

And he admits the tie gave the trio an extra buzz when the draw was made.

"We've obviously got a few ex-Rovers players in the squad so we'll be particularly keen to do well," said Gallacher.

"We haven't really talked about the tie in any major detail between ourselves.

"But the draw was very exciting at the time it was made and now we can't wait for the game to come along."

All eyes are sure to be on the duel between United strike duo Shearer and Duncan Ferguson and defenders Christian Dailly and Darren Peacock. But Gallacher insists the Geordies will underestimate the quality of his former Rovers team-mates at their peril.

"Darren and Christian have got experience, they've played against players like this before and they will rise to the occasion, I'm sure of that," said the Scot.

"They showed against Liverpool just what they can do and they handled that game better than a lot of people expected them to do."

Gallacher struggled to get a regular spot in Rovers' starting line up earlier in the season as Brian Kidd rotated his strikeforce.

But his £500,000 move to Tyneside has since given the 33-year-old a new lease of life.

And Gallacher is quick to give the credit to his manager, Bobby Robson, who has opted to utilise him in a new role behind a front two of Shearer and Ferguson.

"Bobby has been fantastic since I arrived at the club," said Gallacher.

"The wealth of experience the man has got is phenomenal.

"He's got players who weren't happy with things here to start playing well again.

"And he is definitely a manager you can trust.

"I've already learned a lot off him in my short time here and he's got everyone enjoying their football again.

"I'm really enjoying my new role and, hopefully, that can prolong my career. "My form has been very good but I always said getting the first goal was going to be the hardest part.

"But that's now arrived and I think I've been quite consistent."

However, Gallacher is not the only one to have enjoyed a change in fortunes since his move.

Rovers, too, have been revitalised over the last three months under the shrewd leadership of Tony Parkes.

But the striker hasn't been surprised by the impact his old coach has made.

"I knew there was something there - even when I was still there," said Gallacher.

"But Tony just had to get the lads going again, because everyone's confidence was a bit low, and he seems to have got that side sorted now.

"He's kept a settled partnership up front and the team is more settled as a whole.

"At the start of the season that was a problem at Rovers because the lads didn't know who was going to be playing and how we were going to play.

"I don't blame Brian Kidd for that - I think he was doing a good job.

"But he didn't get enough time to get it right."

Gallacher faces an anxious wait to find out if he will start the game or have to settle for a place on the bench.

With England international Rob Lee now fit again, Robson will have a choice of two from three - Lee, Gallacher and Kieron Dyer.

"I don't know whether I'll start or not because, with Rob Lee fit again, that's going to create a few selection problems for the manager," said Gallacher.

Rovers youngster Lee Fitzpatrick has joined Third Division promotion hopefuls Hartlepool United.

The 21-year-old midfielder spent two months on loan at Victoria Park earlier this season and has now completed a permanent move in a deal which could be worth £50,000 to Rovers depending on the player's appearances.

Rovers have also included a sell-on clause in the transfer package.

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