Newcastle's Michael Owen ... denied a goal against Manchester United on Saturday.

LONDON (AP):

NEWCASTLE HEAD into their most important match of the season, so far, still without a manager.

The Magpies host Stoke City today in a replay of the teams' third-round FA Cup match, knowing that defeat would effectively end their season.

The club is languishing in the middle of the table in the Premier League and must beat their League Championship opponents to have any chance of ending their 53-year wait for a major trophy.

But after Sam Allardyce's departure, the team doesn't even have a manager to help it rally after Saturday's 6-0 loss at Manchester United, and history suggests a struggle ahead.

Newcastle were taken to a replay by another second-tier club last season but lost the second match to Birmingham 5-1.

"We were disappointing last year and it was a disaster for us in the replay," goalkeeper Shay Given said. "These teams come to big stadiums and they are not overawed. It's their Cup final and we have to make sure that we are right on top of our game."

Difficult

That will be difficult after Saturday's mauling by United.

Newcastle seemed to be competing well and were denied a scoring opportunity when Michael Owen was incorrectly ruled offside, but conceded six second-half goals, including three in the last five minutes.

Nigel Pearson, who is filling the manager's position until the club can find a full-time successor for Allardyce, will be without tenacious midfielders Alan Smith and Nicky Butt because of suspension.

Smith was sent off on Saturday against his former club, while Butt will be missing after reaching 10 yellow cards for the season.

And while Newcastle are struggling, Stoke are unbeaten in 12 matches and a contender for promotion at fourth in the League Championship standings.

Stoke won't be able to field Andy Griffin because the defender joined from Derby too late for the first game, which ended 0-0.

Griffin spent 51/2 years at Newcastle before leaving in May 2004, and expects a tough match.

"It'll be a harder game than what it was here, no question about it, but we've got nothing to fear," Griffin said. "The lads will definitely show them some respect because they are a massive club, but we don't fear anyone."

Defeat for Newcastle

A defeat for Newcastle would not be a total shock, with just six Premier League clubs having already qualified for the fourth round.

"We have to make sure we are right up for it when we face Stoke because there have been some big upsets in this round," Given said. "Blackburn was probably the game which stands out after Coventry went there and got a great result."

Also today, Manchester City host West Ham after a scoreless draw on January 5.

City will again be without striker Emile Mpenza after coach Sven-Goran Eriksson ordered him to rest in an attempt to cure a hamstring problem.

"I had a long talk with Emile last week and we decided that he needed at least a week's rest," Eriksson said. "I hope that in a couple of weeks we will see the real Mpenza."

The match will be the second of three meetings between the teams in two weeks, with the sides facing each other in the Premier League on Sunday.

Non-league sides Hereford and Havant and Waterlooville host Tranmere and Swansea in today's other matches.