NEWCASTLE flanker Mike McCarthy has warned the Falcons to expect a tough battle against his former team-mates from Connacht on Friday.

The Irish province visit Kingston Park for a European Challenge Cup quarter-final and on the two previous occasions they have progressed this far they have reached the semis.

The Falcons beat Connacht 32-9 at Galway in a pre-season friendly in 2004 and the Irishmen are currently bottom of the Celtic League, despite an 11-9 win against Borders at Gala last Friday.

McCarthy, who made the switch in 2004, said: "This is the focal point of their season and they will be up for it.

"The season I was there we got to the semi-finals, losing narrowly on aggregate to Harlequins. The players are very fit and hard-working and they will come here expecting to win.

"They have some good young forwards such as hooker John Fogarty, prop Ray Hogan, the captain Andrew Farley and ex-Leeds man Colm Rigney."

With a home semi-final against London Irish or Bayonne awaiting the winners, Newcastle see this as a route back into the Heineken Cup, in which they reached the quarter-finals last season.

"It's a huge game for us," said McCarthy. "We are desperate to win this competition so we can take something out of the season.

"After Sunday's performance against Northampton we owe the fans a lot. It was a quiet dressing room afterwards.

"We all knew we had let the supporters down and the good thing is we have a chance to put it right."

England centre Jamie Noon is confident of being fit to return for the Falcons after missing the Northampton match because of the blow on the head which forced him off against Ireland at Twickenham.

"I took a bang in the first half and can't remember too much about it, but I'm reliably informed it was our hooker Lee Mears I collided with," he said.

"I have been training full-on with the rest of the lads this week and Friday can't come quickly enough."

Tickets for the 7.30pm kick-off can be booked by ringing 0871 226 60660.

l Mathew Tait will not be available for Newcastle as he is with the England squad at the 30th Hong Kong Sevens, which start on Friday. Canada, USA and Hong Kong are in England's pool