NEWCASTLE United defensive duo Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage are backing the latest bid to bring silverware home to Tyneside.

The local stoppers took time out from training ahead of Monday's crunch Premier League clash with title contenders Chelsea to pass on tips to Team Northumbria.

And the crack women's footballers travel to London next week with a ringing endorsement from the Toon pair.

Paul Johnson's TN hopefuls face Welsh giants UWIC at Loftus Road on Wednesday with the biggest prize in university sport up for grabs.

And a squad packed with members of Newcastle United Women's side is confident of showing Kevin Keegan's resurgent team the way forward!

"This is great for the area and I'm sure the women will give their all," said Taylor. "We're backing Paul and his players all the way."

Ramage added: "Everyone wants to see footballers in this area win something and why not start with TN's women?"

Johnson oversees TN's groundbreaking men's and women's football programme with his Coach Lane base right next door to United's Academy.

A blossoming relationship between the university and NUFC Women will see the likes of rising Magpies' star Ruth Sutcliffe study at Northumbria from September.

And Johnson said: "It means so much to our players to have the likes of Steven and Peter in their corner.

"Women's football is making giant strides but everybody knows who the standard bearers for football in Newcastle are.

"As players and coaches we look up to Kevin and his Premier League stars and it's given everyone at Team Northumbria a huge boost to have them involved this week."

TN tackle UWIC at 4pm on Wednesday May 7 for the 2008 BUSA crown and all the latest news will be available on www.teamnorthumbria.com