Aaron Hughes has urged Newcastle United to prove they have the ability to shake off their FA Cup hangover and save their season from going down the drain.
The Northern Ireland international knows it is going to be tough to get over the disappointment of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool, especially as he feels as though it was their best chance of silverware this season.
But Hughes has already worked out how to take revenge on the Gerard Houllier's side - beat the Reds to the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.
As a result a player, described as a possible future Newcastle skipper by Sir Bobby Robson, has challenged his teammates to prove they have the character to not let the defeat derail their rise up the table. "It was a massive disappointment to lose at Liverpool, but we have bounced back before and we can do so again," said the 24-year-old.
"It is a big test of our character. Things change very quickly in football. Before the Liverpool game, we'd started 2004 very well, but now we've got to pick ourselves up and prepare for another tough match at Birmingham City.
"They are one of the teams, along with Charlton and Liverpool, who are challenging us for fourth place in the Premiership. Charlton have got to come to St James's Park, as have Chelsea and Arsenal. There are a lot of hurdles ahead in the league which we have to prepare for.
"The FA Cup has gone, but we have to get over it, and quickly. If we win at Birmingham, we can extend our lead over one of our rivals and keep the pressure on Charlton and Liverpool.
"When you look at the game on Saturday, there was very little to choose between the two sides. Fourth spot is a big thing for us to aim for and Liverpool are going to push us all the way.
"But, if we beat them, we will have at least gained some revenge for them putting us out of the cup. It will probably go right down to the last few games of the season." United's pain at their fourth round cup exit was only heightened by Monday's draw, with their conquerors handed a relatively easy home tie with Portsmouth, while local rivals Sunderland have a reasonable chance of progressing into the sixth round, with Birmingham City visiting the Stadium of Light.
Hughes, though, has already turned his attention to Newcastle's last remaining hope of a trophy in 2004 - the Uefa Cup.
He said: "We have to give it everything. It is our last opportunity to win a trophy and we have a chance to do just that.
"That still gives us hope of winning some silverware this season and if we can do that and finish fourth in the Premiership nobody will be thinking about the FA Cup.
"There are some strong teams in the Uefa Cup, but teams will also fear us. We showed a lot of people what we're capable of last season in Europe. There is still a lot to play for."
Meanwhile, First Division Burnley, Bradford and Rotherham are all vying to sign Newcastle United reserve team captain Bradley Orr.
The Merseyside-born midfielder was United's man-of-the-match in the 0-0 draw with Everton on Monday night, despite the fact he was playing in a side which included the likes of Craig Bellamy, Shola Ameobi, Titus Bramble, Hugo Viana and Darren Ambrose.
The 21-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to make a first team appearance for the Magpies.
* HARRY Kewell admits that Liverpool have not handled their injury problems well this season but he is still convinced they will qualify for the Champions League.
The Australian, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard have all struggled for fitness this season and Emile Heskey was yesterday ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.
The former Leicester striker will miss Saturday's 170th Mersey derby, plus league games against Bolton and Manchester City and probably the FA Cup fifth round against Portsmouth.
It is the sort of problem that has hampered boss Gerard Houllier all season, but Kewell believes the club are on the up with the majority of their key players back in action.
