PETER LOVENKRANDS has no desire to leave Newcastle United, despite finding opportunities at St James’ Park limited in the Premier League this season.

Lovenkrands expects to be back in the starting line-up for tonight’s Carling Cup fourth round tie with Arsenal, a competition that is fast becoming his chance to shine.

He has only made two Premier League appearances this season, with a substitute outing against Blackpool in September followed by a rare start against Wigan on October 16.

Lovenkrands disappointed in the draw with Wigan, when he was replaced by Shola Ameobi, and then dropped for last weekend’s win at West Ham.

Having spent almost two years on Tyneside, however, the 30-year-old has no intention of demanding to leave to boost his chances of first team football.

“Not at all,” insisted Lovenkrands. “I really enjoy it here and I really hope I’m going to get my chance so I’m just going to wait and see.

“It’s been very frustrating especially with last season.

It’s been very tough, especially with the system we played with Kevin Nolan playing behind Andy Carroll, that’s probably the reason why I haven’t had much of a chance.

“It’s disappointing we didn’t play with two up front at home but it’s the manager’s decision and you have to respect that.

“We went to West Ham with two up front and beat them and hopefully now that’ll be the way we’re going to play and that will give me a better chance of playing.”

Lovenkrands has previously expressed his worries to manager Chris Hughton, but does not want to get in to the habit of complaining for the sake of it.

“It’s been very frustrating – you need to put your head down and keep working,” said Lovenkrands, who has played in both of Newcastle’s opening Carling Cup ties.

“In the beginning you’ll go in and say ‘what’s your plans’ but you can’t keep going back to his office as it goes on, you’re going to get told the same thing every time so as long as you’ve done it once that’s it.”

Newcastle face Arsenal tonight, the first time the Magpies have reached the fourth round since losing to Chelsea in 2006. The Blues were also the victors the last time Newcastle reached the quarter-finals in 2001.

“I didn’t know Newcastle had such a poor record in the competition,” said Lovenkrands.

“It’s quite surprising to hear that especially with the teams that have won it over the years. Hopefully we can go and change that. It’s going to be tough, with the players they have it doesn’t matter who Arsenal put out on the pitch, it’ll be a fantastic side.

“It’ll be a hard-running game for us, we’re not going to see as much of the ball as perhaps we would against other sides.

“Every time they play you know it’s going to be an exciting game because they pass the ball so well.

“ This is a team who come closest to the passing game of Barcelona. It’s the same kind of style with the same kind of players like Fabregas who can pass like Iniesta and Xavi.”

There might be a desire on the players’ part to progress to the latter stages of the Carling Cup, but Hughton would prefer to preserve Premier League status than win a trophy this season.

“Come next season we want to be playing in the Premier League,” he said.

“If it’s a straight question, would I prefer to win the Carling Cup this season or stay in the Premier League, then it’s absolutely to stay in the Premier League.

“There are always financial implications, for me from the football point of view, which is where the bulk of my thoughts are, it’s very much that this club needs – needs – to be in the Premier League.

It’s a massive club with a great past and support and it needs to be up there.”