FOR the vast majority of the Newcastle squad, this lunchtime's trip to Whaddon Road will represent something of a culture shock.

A dressing room that can best be described as basic, a raucous home support within touching distance of the playing surface and a pitch that has been covered since Tuesday night is hardly the environment that most Premiership performers are used to.

But, for Peter Ramage, today's FA Cup fourth-round clash takes him back to reality. After years of running out for Newcastle's reserves, the culture shock comes from playing in front of 52,000 people at St James' Park. Cheltenham, on the other hand, is a part of his footballing past he is ready to revisit.

"People have been describing this match as a shock to the system for Newcastle," said Ramage, who got his first taste of the FA Cup when he came off the bench during the Magpies' third-round win over Mansfield. "Actually, it's going to be fairly familiar surroundings for me.

"This time last year, I was playing in the reserve team and a lot of reserve-team football takes place at lower-league grounds.

"I'm used to that. I'm used to fairly basic changing rooms and pitches that might not be quite as flat as you would want them.

"It's not a problem. It's going to be a difficult game, but we have to go there and show them respect because they're not going to stand there and let us roll them over.

"It's not going to be easy but I think we have enough quality to get through the tie."

Given Newcastle's struggles against Mansfield in the previous round, the visitors will be taking nothing for granted later today. Alan Shearer's record-equalling strike was the only difference between the two sides three weeks ago and, while Mansfield are struggling in the lower reaches of League Two, Cheltenham currently occupy a play-off place.

Newcastle's players have been watching videos of the Robins' midweek LDV Vans Trophy defeat to Colchester and, while Cheltenham boss John Ward insists his side will not be looking to kick their opponents off the park, Ramage is anticipating a rough ride.

"When you watch lower-league teams in action, they tend to be more physical than what you come up against in the Premiership," said the 22-year-old.

"No disrespect to the Cheltenham players, but we're expecting a battle. The Mansfield game was a battle, although they were probably more of a footballing side than we expected them to be. It was still a tough game, though, so we know what to expect."

At least the Magpies will be welcoming back three of their most influential players as the club's crippling injury list finally starts to ease.

Scott Parker, Emre and Shola Ameobi are all expected to feature this afternoon, giving Graeme Souness the kind of selection dilemma he has not had to contend with for the bulk of the season.

"It's always a boost when some of your biggest players return," said Ramage. "We've struggled to create chances, so the return of Emre in particular is a massive boost.

"We haven't scored many goals in recent games, so to have him and Shola back is good news.

"Scott has probably been our best player this season and to have him back in the side is equally important.

"We've been missing the players who would normally be creating chances for Alan and Shola. If you don't give your strikers the service, they're not going to score you the goals.

"The team's form has been affected by the injuries so to start getting players back is important."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.