Birmingham - Steve Bruce led the short-list to replace Graeme Souness as manager of Newcastle United last season, but now the Birmingham City manager is hoping to create some more FA Cup misery for the club he supported as a boy.
Bruce is a self-confessed Newcastle fan and, after almost losing his job at St Andrews a couple of months ago, he now wants his side to continue the good habits that have left them top of the Championship as they seek an immediate return to the English Premier League after last season's relegation.
Some managers in Bruce position's might downplay the FA Cup's importance but the former Manchester United captain is not one of them.
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"I am not a great believer in the idea that you can pick and chose the games that you want to win," he said.
| 'This is the FA Cup and we want to do well in it' |
"This is the FA Cup and we want to do well in it. Doing well in that and winning games is a good habit to have with the one we have picked up in the league.
"It is not a secret that I am a Newcastle fan and I was very proud to be linked with the club as a prospective manager not so long ago," Bruce added.
"But more recently people were calling for me to get the sack at Birmingham. That is how quickly things can change."
Bruce is hoping to complete the £500 000 (about R6,8-million) transfer of Sebastien Larsson from Arsenal. The midfielder has been on a season-long loan at St Andrews and would like to make the switch a permanent one.
Birmingham's only injury concern heading into Saturday's third round FA Cup tie revolves around striker Cameron Jerome, who has a heel problem.
Other than that, Bruce has a full squad to chose from, unlike his opposite number Glenn Roeder.
The Newcastle manager has a long-list of players unavailable but insists he will not be rushed into making signings in the January transfer window, despite his shortage of available options, and may prefer to use the loan system.
Charles N'Zogbia (knee), Michael Owen (knee), Shola Ameobi (hip), Titus Bramble (calf), Craig Moore (hamstring),Steven Harper (hernia), Stephen Carr (foot) and Celestine Babayaro (hamstring) are all out, while Scott Parker is suspended for the Premier League side.
Roeder has been linked with a move for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch and has also enquired about Southampton defender Gareth Bale, as well as Manchester United's Wes Brown.
"There are not a lot of quality players out there at the moment. But this doesn't mean we can't find two or three who will suit our needs," Roeder said.
"We can still take another couple of players on loan, and that's what we might have to do."
Former England international Nicky Butt faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury and Turkish midfielder Emre is expected to play despite a groin problem as Newcastle bid to win their first major trophy in 38 years since lifting the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, forerunner of the Uefa Cup, in 1969.
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