'We want the glory of trying to win a trophy'

The holders may have relinquished their grasp on the Carabao Cup.

But the path to Wembley remains open to Newcastle United through the FA Cup - if Eddie Howe's side manage to find a way past Manchester City in this particular competition.

"We want the glory of trying to win a trophy," Howe said before Saturday's fifth-round tie at St James' Park.

Both teams certainly know each other well. Remarkably, this will be their fifth meeting in three competitions since November.

Howe and opposite number Pep Guardiola are sure to freshen up their sides, but Newcastle's squad is being stretched during a relentless run of fixtures.

Jacob Ramsey is suspended while Howe will have to act carefully after Kieran Trippier, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon all suffered cramp in the closing stages of the midweek win over Manchester United.

Howe previously suggested it would be an "interesting squad selection", but the Newcastle head coach did not sound like someone who was about to make sweeping changes on the eve of the tie.

"The players' mindset is to try and win every game," he said. "I've been criticised for taking the cups seriously previously - this season, especially - because people have felt it's given us too many games.

"But that's the way we have to be when representing this club. We will have the same attitude again. We will try to win the game and see where it takes us."

It feels like a season-defining run at St James' Park - and there is still the first leg of a Champions League last 16-tie against Barcelona to come on Tuesday.

"We need a ferocious St James' Park," Howe added. "But that's going to come from our body language and our start to the game."