MO DIAME admits tomorrow’s EFL Cup tie with Wolves has assumed increased importance in the wake of Newcastle United’s deserved defeat to the same opponents in the league.

Having been soundly beaten by Walter Zenga’s Wolves side on Saturday, the Magpies have an immediate opportunity to exact some revenge when the two sides lock horns again in the third round of the League Cup.

Ordinarily, a cup game would be of secondary importance, with Newcastle’s main priority this season focusing on their attempt to regain their Premier League status at the first time of asking.

However, with Saturday’s defeat having dealt a crushing blow just four days after a club record-equalling away win at QPR, Diame admits it is imperative he and his team-mates right some wrongs when they return to St James’ Park.

“We have to use the cup game to get our confidence back,” said Diame, who was one of three players to return to Saturday’s starting line-up, having missed the 6-0 win at Loftus Road. “We also have to get the fans back behind us again too.

“We need to win this game, then after that we can get ready for the next league game. Even though we got a very good result against QPR, we need to stay very focused. It was a disappointing result against Wolves, but we will be fine.”

Newcastle dominated from start to finish against QPR, but they were on the back foot from the off against Wolves, with their opponents hitting the woodwork in the opening ten minutes and breaking the deadlock before the half-hour mark.

The Magpies’ passing was sloppy and lethargic, and they paid a high price for their defensive errors as they crashed to their second home defeat of the season.

“Early on, we felt something wasn’t right in our play,” said Diame. “Normally, we always get the possession and provide a good tempo in the game, but against Wolves we were playing the wrong way for whatever reason.”

“It was important to confirm the QPR result, but we didn’t and now we have to make sure we don’t lose the confidence we had. We’ve got a quality squad, so we just need to come back, work hard and be ready for the next match.”

The game was a personal disappointment for Diame, who was unable to make much of an impact despite filling his preferred attacking-midfield role. Rafael Benitez is an avowed advocate of squad rotation, and the Senegal international accepts he will have to improve markedly if he is to retain his place.

“Definitely for me, it was disappointing,” he said. “We have a quality squad and there is a lot of competition for places, so it is important to impress in every game. But I will keep working, we will keep working, and we will be fine.”