Weary Magpies in a spin ahead of rivals' reunion

HOWE CALLS FOR REACTION IN DERBY

- Neil Squires

FRAGILE Newcastle are limping towards the first TyneWear derby for almost eight years mired in a confidence crisis.

The one-sided 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on New Year's Day exposed further cracks ahead of an FA Cup third-round tie of profound regional significance at Sunderland on Saturday.

Newcastle have now lost seven of their past eight games, including the penalty shoot-out exit in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Chelsea, and head coach Eddie Howe psychological recognises the spin his side are in.

He said: "The players are naturally human beings so we're not at our most confident currently, and we have to do everything we can to protect that confidence, because it is such an important thing whenever you play.