Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce feels the club will be in good shape if they beat Oxford United in their FA Cup replay.

If Oxford manage a Cup upset there will be a big inquest on Tyneside.

But Bruce said: “I seem to have pivotal weeks every week! Every week is. It goes up and down.

“It could be a good week, before the winter break. To get into the fifth round and have 31 points, we will all accept that. In difficult circumstances over the last month or so we have shown a certain amount of resilience to get this far.

“You cant fault them for their endeavour, resilience, we can be better and we are here to entertain a crowd that has come in their thousands. We haven't done that in the last few weeks."