NOT since Harry Redknapp in 2008 has an English manager won a domestic cup competition.

That "isn't a burning thought" in the mind of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose only focus is on bringing to an end another silverware stretch - and that's the wait for a trophy lift on Tyneside.

This year's Carabao Cup is the 134th attempt by a Newcastle team to win a domestic cup competition since the Magpies' 1955 FA Cup success.

And Howe's side can move a step closer to ending that barren stretch with a win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter finals at St James' Park tonight (7.45pm).

"The willingness has been there from previous teams but we want to be the team that gets over the line and achieves something special," said Howe.

"But, as you go through the competition, these rounds are very difficult. Nothing will be taken for granted from our side but we know if we can hit the correct levels of performance as we did against Leicester, we are a match for anyone in the division."

Success tonight and Howe would be the first manager since Sir Bobby Robson to reach two semi-finals in all competitions, on the back of reaching the final of the League Cup two seasons ago.

Howe said: "The responsibility of trying to achieve and win competitions and to elevate the club to where it should be, in my opinion, is a responsibility we take very seriously at all times."

RECOMMENDED READING:

• 'Sobering' Newcastle admission as points deduction threat 'changes reality'

• Two Newcastle United January transfers ruled out as Eddie Howe addresses 'reality

• Eddie Howe sets Sven Botman Newcastle return date with plan outlined after 'big step'

And there's a burning desire both in the manager's office and in the dressing room.

"As a player I was desperate to win a league, a cup, whatever it was, the desire for silverware as a player was so strong," he said.

"Of course people will tell me I never got close to doing that at all in my career and that was a burning frustration so now as a manager of course we are here to win games and set short targets and isolate games and the next game is the most important but ultimately you’ve got a long-term vision behind that of I desperately want to win a trophy for this football club, for the supporters here, for their patience, for the support since I’ve been at the club, nothing would please me more."

Howe added: "We encourage the players to stand up and talk individually to the group. It's become very apparent that there's the same will within all of them to win a trophy here.

"They've seen the support we get week in, week out, wherever we travel in the world the supporters are with us. I'm speaking on behalf of the players in saying we'd love to reward that support with a trophy. It's within everyone at Newcastle now."

And everyone at the club, especially those who were involved in the run to the final two years ago, knows what silverware success would mean on Tyneside - which means there's extra edge and excitement ahead of a game like tonight.

Howe said: "There's an element of excitement that's slightly different to a league game.

"You know it's a one-off and that you're in or out at the end of the game. That naturally brings a different feeling to the Premier League. The Premier League is all encompassing. It's there, you can't escape it, but of course the league table is forming and shaping with every game.

"There's nothing like cup football. The atmosphere I hope will be red hot. We have to get our supporters in the game for sure."