ANDY O'BRIEN believes cup fever has installed some much-needed confidence in the Newcastle United squad and hopes the club's Premiership fortunes will continue to benefit.

The Magpies are aiming to take another step in the right direction tomorrow when Liverpool visit St James' Park.

Victory could push Graeme Souness' side into the top half of the table for the first time since November.

Newcastle's defeat by Arsenal remains their only reverse since the turn of the year and optimism on Tyneside has improved after making progress in two knockout competitions.

After playing Liverpool tomorrow, Newcastle have a trip to Greece to face Olympiakos in the UEFA Cup's last 16 before taking on Tottenham in the FA Cup quarter-finals a week on Sunday.

From looking as if the season was going to end on a sour note prior to Christmas, Souness' men are now beginning to look more like a team heading in the right direction.

O'Brien admits the whole squad are feeling the effects of success on the field rather than the strains that followed a string of defeats towards the back end of 2004.

"From our point of view the two cup competitions have come at the right time. The season had gone flat over Christmas but the cup games have given everyone fresh impetus," said the 25-year-old.

"Suddenly there's a feel good factor around the place again. The supporters make it clear when they're unhappy with things, but they're the best in the country when it comes to getting right behind us.

"It would be disappointing if we don't make further progress in at least one of the cups and we're playing well enough to have a good run in both.

"The fact that we're at home in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup is a major boost. At this stage you don't mind who you draw as long as you get that advantage.

"That's the main thing, we know we can beat anyone at home. Nottingham Forest were the last team to win an FA Cup tie at Newcastle and now they're out of the competition."

O'Brien was one of the Newcastle players who was a guest at former manager Sir Bobby Robson's Honorary Freeman of Newcastle ceremony on Wednesday.

The Republic of Ireland international, bought by Robson for £2m from Bradford in 2001, has gone on to to earn 17 caps since the move.

The defender believes his old boss would be delighted to see Newcastle end 36 trophy-less years this season.

He said: "He is passionate about his football and passionate about Newcastle United and we know he'll be right behind us this season.

"Give or take a few changes this is the squad he put together and, despite everything that has happened, I know he will be rooting for us."

* Newcastle's FA Cup tie with Tottenham is now a 4pm kick-off on March 13 and will be televised by Sky.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.