Given confident of Chelsea upset

Shay Given is urging Newcastle to prove their Carling Cup worth by dumping Premiership champions Chelsea out of the quarter-finals…

Shay Given is urging Newcastle to prove their Carling Cup worth by dumping Premiership champions Chelsea out of the quarter-finals tonight.

Jose Mourinho's side arrive at St James' Park just a week after grinding out a 1-0 league win over the injury-hit Magpies at Stamford Bridge.

But that is Newcastle's only defeat in the last 10 matches and, while no-one on Tyneside is getting too carried away, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper is hoping for a big performance.

Given said: "If you beat Chelsea, it gives you a better chance of winning the cup. I would rather play Chelsea here at home than play them at a neutral ground in a semi-final or final.

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"It is a great chance for us. But Jose Mourinho wants to win every cup and they have got a big enough squad to play in six competitions. They will be coming up here to win."

Chelsea have an excellent record against Newcastle, who they will be meeting in a domestic cup competition for the fourth time in three campaigns. But they have not won at St James' in their last three visits.

Asked about his side's good recent home record against Chelsea, Given said: "We have but we do not want to go on about it too much.

"We were happy with a home draw. It could have been easier but if you are going to win the cup, you are going to have to beat the best teams and Chelsea are one of the best teams.

"We can take heart from last Wednesday's game down at Stamford Bridge. We had a patched-up team and a few young lads playing, and we will take a lot of confidence from that game.

"It will not be an easy game, but we are at home and the atmosphere hear for a cup quarter-final should be special. I am looking forward to it."

Manager Glenn Roeder could have Nolberto Solano and Emre back from injury, although left-back Celestine Babayaro is suspended. Fit-again Kieron Dyer should play.