Luque bemoans Magpies' misfortune

As Newcastle United FC await an FA Cup tie against Cheltenham Town FC, their Spanish striker Alberto Luque has offered his full support to manager Graeme Souness.

Cheltenham trip
The Magpies go to Whaddon Road stadium, home of Cheltenham who are currently in the fourth tier of English football, for the fourth-round tie on the back of a dismal sequence of just two wins from their last ten league games. That run of form has meant the team has dropped to 14th in the English Premiership with fans losing patience with former Liverpool FC star Souness.

Misfiring striker
However, Spanish international Luque - who has failed to find the target in eleven appearances since joining the club from RC Deportivo La Coruña for €14m in the summer - insists that Newcastle can still save their season and even secure a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

'Important months'
"We have four extremely important months ahead of us and during that time I expect us to have recovered the points we now need," he told uefa.com. "I think that we will still be fighting for a place in the UEFA Cup by the end of the season instead of being near the bottom. I really believe that."

Support for Souness
"I am sure the results will come under Mr Souness," he added. "Maybe we just need a little bit more time to get used to playing as a team. After all we do have a lot of new players. Graeme is a very good coach to work with. He understands football and the mentality of players very well."

Injury epidemic
Injuries have not helped Souness's cause with the treatment room at the club bulging at the seams. England striker Michael Owen will be out until March with a broken foot, while seasoned internationals Kieron Dyer, Emre Belözoglu and Stephen Carr have all missed large chunks of the campaign.

'Bad luck'
"This has to be the most injury-jinxed team I have played for in my career," said Luque. "There is no logical reason other than bad luck. We have to not dwell on it, and move on. Things will ease up and almost everybody will be back soon, fully fit and playing at their best for the final part of the season."

Hamstring trouble
Luque whose his opportunities have been limited by a hamstring injury, has not escaped that misfortune and the 27-year-old is adamant that Newcastle fans have yet to see the best of him. "I've had a lot of bad luck with injuries since joining Newcastle but I am ready to give more to the team now," he said.

Newcastle target
"I can assure everyone that I will give my best to help and hopefully that will produce results for the manager," he added. "I am over my injury worries now. I feel good and it's my aim to repay the confidence this club has shown in me by scoring lots of goals and putting in some great performances."

Shearer example
The example of Alan Shearer, who returned from a hernia operation in November to score the 200th goal of his Newcastle career in the last round of the FA Cup against Mansfield Town FC, can surely inspire Newcastle. Playing alongside the club's joint all-time top scorer has certainly inspired Luque.

'Impressive striker'
"I have to say that playing with Alan Shearer is a great experience for me," Luque explained. "When I first arrived I knew what an impressive striker he was, but having now been his team-mate I am even more impressed by his attacking talent and football vision."