Newcastle need to rediscover cutting edge - Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle they will need to be more clinical if they are to soothe their FA Cup disappointment by booking a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

The Magpies entertain Premier League rivals Leicester in the last eight on Tuesday evening still smarting from Saturday's 2-1 third-round defeat at League One Sheffield Wednesday which reduced their chances of ending a domestic silverware drought which dates back almost 68 years this season.

A 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions drew to an ignominious close at Hillsborough as chances went begging, just as they did in a 0-0 league draw with Leeds at St James' Park on New Year's Eve, and head coach Howe knows that cannot continue if the club is to prosper this season.

The 45-year-old, who guided his side to a 3-0 league win over Brendan Rodgers' side at the King Power Stadium on St Stephen's Day, said: "This game will be different to Boxing Day. Brendan is a very good tactician. I thought that game, the scoreline, slightly flattered us.

"It certainly wasn't an easy game and we understand the quality they have. We will need to be at our best to get through.

"Psychologically, it would be a great thing for us to get through to a two-legged semi-final. We want to experience that, but we have a very different tough opponent in our way.

"We have to be more clinical. If we look back at the Leeds game and Saturday, there were too many chances not taken."

The shock reverse at Wednesday was a rare low point in a season which has otherwise sparked unbridled hope on Tyneside with Howe's men sitting in third place in the Premier League table and having headed for South Yorkshire with just a single defeat to their name, and that in controversial circumstances at Liverpool