Dyer targeting Magpies FA Cup run

Dyer scored in the original tie against Birmingham

Kieron Dyer expects Newcastle to learn the lessons from their failure to see off Birmingham at the first attempt and kick-start their FA Cup campaign.

The teams meet again in Wednesday's third round replay and Dyer believes the Magpies are set fair for a Cup run.

"We got very complacent in the first game," the midfielder told BBC Sport.

"Of late we've turned St James' Park into a fortress and after Birmingham it's a home tie against Reading. If we keep getting home ties then who knows."

Interview: Newcastle's Kieron Dyer

Interview: Birmingham boss Steve Bruce

After a poor start to the season Newcastle are steadily climbing the Premiership and have lost just one of their last seven matches at home.

That defeat came in the Carling Cup against Chelsea and of the other six games they have won five and drawn the other against table-topping Manchester United.

Dyer's frustration at Newcastle's inability to see off Birmingham at St Andrews in the original tie stems from the fact the visitors played the whole of the second half with an extra man but could not hang on to their 2-1 advantage.

His goal gave Glenn Roeder's team a 2-1 lead 10 minutes after the break, but 10-man Birmingham hit back with four minutes remaining.

Hopefully the big boys will keep drawing each other in the rounds coming up and then who knows Kieron Dyer

"They were a credit to the Championship," added Dyer.

"You can see why they're top of the league. Their energy levels were extraordinary and they fully deserved a draw.

"But we switched off as a team. When we play them at home we've got to be up for it from the start and if we do that I fully expect us to progress to the next round."

And Dyer believes Newcastle can enjoy a good run in the competition, particularly with the promise of players returning from injury in the coming weeks and months.

"As a squad, as a team, I believe we're a match for anyone if we play to our maximum," he said.

"We just need some luck in getting everyone fit between now and the end of the season.

"A lot of Newcastle fans would rather us win the FA Cup than the league and that shows the significance of the Cup to them.

"Having lost to Chelsea in the Carling Cup the only two bits of silverware we can win are obviously the FA Cup and the Uefa Cup.

"So we have to go for it all guns blazing. Hopefully the big boys will keep drawing each other in the rounds coming up and then who knows.

"I believe we'll finish in the top-half of the table and, with luck, we'll progress in the latter stages of the FA Cup.

"Who knows, we might be in the first match at the new Wembley. That would be nice."