Roeder backs calls to end replays

Newcastle boss Roeder believes there are too many matches

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has backed calls for FA Cup ties to be decided by a single match.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants replays scrapped and Roeder told BBC Five Live Sport he feels the same.

He said: "There are so many games to be played now that I would prefer for there to be only one match, decided by extra time and penalties if needed."

However, Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz favours adding extra time to the first tie.

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Queiroz said: "Why do we have to finish after 90 minutes in the first game when the second one goes to extra time?

"It is part of the rules to have replays but I think there should be extra time in the first match.

Big teams don't want an extra game in the calendar because as the season draws to an end their priority has to be Europe and winning the Premiership Reading boss Steve Coppell

"You cannot change the rules once the competition has started but maybe it is something that could be looked at."

Birmingham took advantage of the replay rule to knock out Newcastle in the FA Cup third round, winning 5-1 away after a draw at home.

On Saturday, Reading drew 1-1 with United to force a fifth-round replay - while Blackburn and Arsenal will do the same after their goalless stalemate .

And with both United and Arsenal in the Champions League, which resumes this week, it is unsurprising that the clubs do not welcome additional fixtures.

Reading boss Steve Coppell understands, to a point, but also offered an alternative solution to scrapping replays.

He said: "Big teams don't want an extra game in the calendar because as the season draws to an end their priority has to be Europe and winning the Premiership.

"I can see their point of view because an extra fixture makes demands of the squad.

"But the big four teams have such massive squads they loan a lot of players out. Maybe in future they shouldn't loan so many players out."

Meanwhile, Roeder believes there is a chance that Michael Owen could play during the current campaign.

A serious knee injury has kept the 27-year-old England striker out all season but he is now back in training and making good progress.

Roeder said: "Michael has been out all week on the grass, running hard.

"I think there is a distinct possibility that we can get a few games out of him this season.

"We have to be positive, Michael believes he can play this season and we believe he can."