IT hardly carries the kudos of a trip to the Nou Camp, but Shay Given has claimed that Saturday's Intertoto Cup third round second-leg game in Lillestrom is as big as any European fixture he has played in with Newcastle.

The Republic of Ireland international will be making his 56th continental appearance for the Magpies when Glenn Roeder's side travel to Oslo's Arasen Stadium this weekend, seven more than any other player in the club's illustrious history.

Those games have taken him to some of the biggest stadiums in Europe and included high-profile fixtures in the second group stage of the Champions League.

But with the success of Newcastle's season likely to be significantly influenced by what happens in five days' time, Given has insisted this weekend's game with Lillestrom overshadows everything that has gone before it.

"There is an awful lot riding on next week," said the Magpies' vice-captain, whose 12th-minute save in the first leg could prove crucial to his side's chances of progressing to the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. "The game at Lillestrom is now absolutely massive for us.

"It has to be up there with the most important European games- such as the Champions League qualifiers - because we haven't got the players in yet and it's one of the carrots to help the manager and chairman persuade top players to come to the club.

"It rests on our shoulders to get us into Europe and the UEFA Cup could create a cash windfall for the club which would be good for next season. It has a snowball effect and it's a massive thing for us."

Last season, Newcastle failed to figure in Europe after losing to Deportivo La Coruna at the same stage of the Intertoto Cup.

That meant Given was forced to watch from afar as North-East rivals Middlesbrough went all the way to the UEFA Cup final.

The Irishman is understandably keen to avoid similar frustration, much preferring a packed fixture schedule to endless nights off during the middle of the week.

"Personally, I really missed European football last season," said Given. "It seemed as though there was something missing when you played on a Saturday and then didn't play again until the following weekend.

"It seemed as though there was too much time during the week not to do very much. I'm sure the fans felt the same.

"This club deserves to be in Europe and it has the backing to be there. It is key that we make it happen."

Newcastle's chances would undoubtedly be improved if Roeder were able to add to his squad ahead of Saturday's return leg.

The Magpies manager is continuing to track a number of attacking targets - West Ham striker Dean Ashton is the latest player to have come under his microscope - but maintains a lack of match fitness will prevent him pitching any new recruit straight into the first team ahead of Saturday's second leg.

Given has previously been critical of Newcastle's inability to turn their undoubted resources into tangible achievement.

And, while the Irishman is happy with both Roeder and chairman Freddy Shepherd's efforts to bolster the squad, he has admitted new signings are imperative if Newcastle are to build on last season's seventh-placed finish.

"There is no hiding away from the fact that, if we do get to the UEFA Cup, we will need extra players," said Given. "That will apply even more if we get a few injuries as well.

"We are very limited in the squad, but we know the chairman and the manager are both aware of that. By all accounts, they are working hard behind the scenes to get the players in.

"It's no secret we need to get some players in to strengthen the squad if we are going to do anything at all this season."