Howe ready to respond at Rovers

The Magpies travel to Ewood Park, backed by over 7,000 away supporters, targeting a place in the quarter-final of the prestigious competition for the second time in their last 19 attempts and face a Rovers side occupying 16th spot in the English second tier.

One year on since last season's Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, Eddie Howe is determined to replicate another positive run in a domestic cup competition, with the club one win away from a trip to Wembley Stadium should they prevail against the Championship outfit tomorrow evening.

Despite a 4-1 loss against Arsenal on Saturday night, Howe is adamant to respond swiftly from the difficult setback against the Gunners ahead of facing the former Premier League champions whilst reflecting on the return of duo Joe Willock, who marked his return from a long-term injury with a goal against his former club, and Swedish forward Alexander Isak.

Here are some of the main talking points from the boss' pre-match media briefing held at the Magpies' Benton-based training ground on Monday morning:

On Saturday's defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium:

"My initial analysis was very similar to how I feel now. We need to do better in lots of different areas of the game. Normally we do, but it was a difficult day for us.

"After a performance like that, and you do get them, you want a chance to respond very quickly and to get it out of the system. This is a good game to do that with."

On Joe Willock and Alexander Isak's outings in North London after both of whom were previously sidelined due to injury:

"I was delighted with Joe's return. I thought he looked really good when he came on and scored a very typical Joe Willock goal which was great to see.

"He's very close to starting. He's done a lot of work, although we've only seen 30 minutes he played against Arsenal, behind-the-scenes to get himself in this position so that will be a judgement call. 

"Alex got 60 good minutes into his legs and that will do him the world of good."

On facing Blackburn Rovers:

"It's a huge game for us. We're absolutely committed to the FA Cup to do well and have been all season. We've had two difficult games away from home to get to this stage and now another one. We've been looking forward to this game for a while so we know how important it is.

"They've made a change in manager. John (Eustace)'s a very experienced guy who did a great job at Birmingham City and should do a very similar one at Blackburn.

"It goes to show how competitive the Championship is. Last year, they were right up there competing and this year, after a bright spell, they're maybe not where they want to be in the league but they're a very competitive team.

"They've got goalscorers in their side and playing a new system, so a lot of challenges for us to rise to, overcome and get through to the next round."

On the significance of cup competitions, with United aiming to end a 69-year wait for a domestic trophy:

"It's what we're here for. The cup competitions are so important. We want to go as far as we can, like we did in the Carabao Cup final.

"Watching the game yesterday brought back a lot of memories of last year and whet the appetite for this game and, hopefully, more to come.

"For me, it's always (the FA Cup) been one of the most important competitions. In the 1980s, it was the be all and end all and the season was based around the FA Cup. That's not lost on me and I've always tried to carry that forward into managing my teams.

On the injury updates of Elliot Anderson and Matt Targett:

"They're getting there. It's been a long road for both of them with very different injuries. Matt's was quite clear cut, a bad tear in his hamstring and an operation.

"Elliot's was a very difficult injury because he felt OK but the scan said it was a stress fracture in his back so he had to give it a lot of rest, where he couldn't be too active, but he's worked really hard and he's felt good in the last few weeks. Both are right on the tip of returning."

On Martin Dúbravka, with the Slovakian goalkeeper missing last weekend's trip to Arsenal due to illness:

"We hope that he's improved and is available for selection but at this moment in time we don't know.

"I think in a very difficult performance for the team, Loris (Karius) did OK. He made a couple of good saves and controlled his box pretty well so I think he'll be pleased considering he hasn't played for a year."