Nikos Dabizas hopes to get the nod from Sir Bobby Robson to play in Newcastle's top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal on Sunday - so he can put the record straight with Dennis Bergkamp.

Bergkamp scored one of the best goals of the season when he rounded Dabizas as Arsenal won the corresponding fixture 2-0 at St James' Park last March.

But the Greek remains to be convinced that Bergkamp genuinely meant to flick the ball past him with his back turned as he did and hopes United can exact revenge this weekend.

The Greece captain said: "To tell the truth I was never 100% cent convinced that Bergkamp meant to do what he did. But if he did then this was a wonderful world-class goal from a player who can only be described as a genius.

"And it goes without saying that I would love to be out there on Sunday to face Bergkamp and Arsenal."

Dabizas has been left out of the Newcastle starting line-up for long periods this season but has played in the last three games as United beaten Manchester City, Bolton and Tottenham without conceding a goal.

Dabizas added: "I have been disappointed to have been out of the team for so long this season but in football you have got to take your chance.

"And that's what I hope I have done as I have been happy enough at the way I have played in the last three matches.

"We all want to play on Sunday as this is one of our biggest games of the season against the team I feel is the best in the country."