Newcastle, Dec 17 (NationPress) Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe highlights the vital significance of the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Brentford on Wednesday night as he seeks to propel the Magpies into the last four.

"Whenever you compete against Brentford, whether at home or away, it proves to be a challenging match. Ultimately, it's about our attitude - we must demonstrate how significant this game is for us. As we reach the latter stages, these matches gain immense importance. We understand that if we perform at the right levels, similar to our display against Leicester, we can compete with anyone in this league," remarked Howe during the pre-match press conference.

The United side will meet the Bees at St. James' Park, aiming for redemption after their 4-2 defeat in the Premier League against Thomas Frank's team just ten days prior.

Howe acknowledges that his squad is fully cognizant of the match's importance, with aspirations of returning to a major cup final, especially after they reached the final of this competition in 2023.

"It's fascinating to reflect on the previous encounter. Brentford adopted a different strategy against Chelsea. Upon reviewing that match, we recognized we were lacking defensively. However, our performance against Leicester was commendable, and we defended our goal effectively. If we replicate that, I am confident we can find the back of the net," he added.

The 0-2 defeat Newcastle United faced in the 2023 Carabao Cup final is likely weighing on the players' minds as they strive to end one of the longest trophy droughts in English football. The Toons, known for their rich history, have not secured a major trophy since clinching the 1955 FA Cup by overcoming Manchester City 3-1.