'The desire is there' - Howe targeting Emirates FA Cup passage | OneFootball

The Magpies host the League Two outfit, who gained promotion to the EFL last season via National League play-offs, at St. James' Park and target an eighth consecutive win across all competitions.

Howe is more than likely set to make a number of changes to his side ahead of the club's first ever meeting against the Ravens, managed by former Magpies goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman, and is keen to complete a lengthy passage in this year's competition, which marks 70 years since the club last lifted the trophy.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from Friday morning's pre-match media briefing at the Newcastle United Media Centre...

On Alexander Isak, who has scored 14 goals in his last 15 competitive matches for the Magpies:

"He's seeing his physio at the moment and we've given him a couple of days rest but we think he's in a good place and he'll report back tomorrow and have a good look at him.

"We would have probably involved him in some way [against Bromley] but with what's happened, he'll probably be given this game to rest and get himself right for our future schedule."

On Martin Dúbravka, who has kept five clean sheets in his last seven competitive outings:

"He's been a very good professional for us. He's come into the team and compliments to him because it's difficult for a goalkeeper. When Nick was playing he wasn't, he had to stay ready and had to stay focused. I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that. Emotionally he's very invested. All those things will be playing a part into his decision making and our decision making. Hopefully there's a successful outcome at the end."

On squad rotation ahead of taking on the League Two side:

"That is the balance that we face this weekend. We knew going into the Arsenal game the lads that had played the majority of the minutes were in a good place mentally but physically they were a little bit tired.

"We always had this game on the horizon in a short space of time and knew we would have to rotate our squad but we've got very good players that are desperate to play and desperate to show their qualities.

"It's a good game for them to showcase those qualities but also we have to get through, that is our aim, so we have to pick a strong enough squad."

On targeting a run in this year's competition:

"The desire is there. We don't prioritise any competition ahead of any other. We want to try and win the next game so that's how we'll try to focus on this season and this game will be no different.

"The preparation will be exactly the same as always. We'll go into depth on our opponent and give them the utmost respect, trying to win the match."

On the competition, which has seen United lift the trophy on six occasions:

"It's still the FA Cup. I don't think it's changed at all. The FA Cup was the competition when I was growing up and was one of the things that attracted me to football.

"The knockout competition and the drama that it gave was one of the things that hooked me very early in my life. There's still a magic to it and we're on the other side going into this game where Bromley will have all the hope and the magic of the cup.

"We need to make sure we're really professional and try to get the job done."

On returning to St. James' Park:

"The three games we had away (against Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal) were brilliant days for us but they were tiring. It's good to be back at home and now we have a little run there.

"In these games, they're never easy home or away but I think it's nice not to be travelling again from our perspective."