Newcastle must return to winning ways, says Hughton

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has ordered his players to rediscover their ruthless streak if they are to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Magpies head into tomorrow night's third-round replay against Plymouth at St James' Park having drawn their last three games and having failed to score in the last two.

Hughton saw his side fail to find the net in the first tie as Paul Mariner's Championship strugglers held them to a goalless draw, but the former Tottenham defender – who won the trophy twice while at White Hart Lane – is keen to get back in the winning habit.

Hughton said: "We came away from the Plymouth game very disappointed because it was a game we felt we dominated and should have won. But that's what we are up against, we are up against teams who are going to fight all the way against us, and it is up to us. If we are not putting the ball in the back of the net, we are not going to win.

"But we have a very good record at home, where we have not been beaten. It's an intimidating place to come and play for any side and, apart from that, we have a group of lads who want to go through to the next stage of this cup competition, and we will do everything we can to make sure that happens."

Fringe players Tim Krul, Tamas Kadar and Nile Ranger all started in the first meeting but, with no fixture last weekend, Hughton could revert to a full-strength side as he looks to secure a fourth-round tie at West Brom.

Hughton said: "The fact that we do have two extra days' grace afterwards and the fact we didn't have a game on Saturday will have some bearing on the team I pick."

Plymouth midfielder Karl Duguid believes Mariner's men will put in a solid performance.

He said: "It's going to be a tough ask but we went to Middlesbrough this season and won and we went to Cardiff City and won so why can't we win there?

"It's away to Newcastle in the FA Cup and it doesn't get much bigger than that. It's also a night game and all footballers love playing under lights.

"We are unbeaten in three games and have got into a rhythm and want to keep that going."