Former European champions Olympique Marseille will try to exploit Newcastle United's injury woes when they meet in Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final at St James' Park.

Buoyed by two victories over Inter Milan in the last round, Marseille's hopes of reaching next month's final against Spanish opponents Valencia or Villarreal have been further boosted by a rash of injuries to Bobby Robson's side.

Wales forward Craig Bellamy and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas were both forced off during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa and are unlikely to figure on Thursday.

"JJ is struggling with a thigh problem, while Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy have both got hamstring strains," Robson told the Newcastle Journal.

"Shola Ameobi has got a groin problem and so they are all a major doubt for Thursday, which is obviously a blow to us."

Though skipper Alan Shearer, who scored one of two goals that saw off PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-final second leg, will be a genuine threat to the French visitors, Newcastle are not the same side without Bellamy's penetrating runs.

Marseille, Champions League winners in 1993 but UEFA Cup final losers in 1999, will have no fear of facing another English side this season after dumping Gerard Houllier's Liverpool out of the fourth round.

Drogba Menace

With former Manchester United keeper Fabien Barthez between the posts and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba providing a steady supply of goals this season, Marseille's optimism is easily understood.

Speaking after last weekend's 2-1 Ligue 1 win over Lille, defender Philippe Christanval told the club's Web site: "We've already beaten Liverpool and Inter, who are both big teams. We know we can do it."

They will also take heart from Tuesday's cross-Channel encounter when Monaco beat Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The all-Spanish tie gives Valencia, Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, a great chance to return to the spotlight of a European final on May 19 in Gothenburg.

Villarreal, who have spent only five seasons in the Spanish top-flight, are making their first foray into European football after qualifying from the Intertoto Cup.

Surprise winners over last season's finalists Celtic in the quarterfinals, they are likely to struggle in what is also a regional derby. Their ground is only about 60 kilometres from Valencia.

Valencia, whose former player Francisco 'Paquito' Garcia is now the Villarreal coach, thrashed them 4-2 earlier in the season and head into the game as Primera Liga leaders.

The underdogs, though, are counting on passion to see them through.

"We are going to fight all the way," said defender Sergio Ballesteros after his team reached the last four. "And in a semi-final, it will be attitude and enthusiasm that count more than anything else."