EDDIE Howe has told his Newcastle United players that this weekend's Wear-Tyne derby has to re-energise their season - but insists he can't and won't over-react despite the wretched run of six defeats in their last seven games.

Howe admits the confidence of his Newcastle players has taken a hit over the course of recent weeks, with the Magpies having been dumped out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup and slipping down to eighth in the Premier League table.

With a top four finish looking increasingly unlikely, Newcastle will look to the FA Cup as an opportunity to salvage their season and Howe desperately hopes the enormity of Saturday's game can act as a much-needed spark for the Magpies.

"It has to and that was my message after the (Liverpool) match to the players," said Howe.

"There's no point over-analysing what just happened. We'll do that in the next couple of days. For the players we have to look forward. We have to look to Sunderland. We know how important the game is for the city, the supporters, for us in our season. All our energy is now going towards that."

Newcastle will be without Callum Wilson at the Stadium of Light, with the forward also set to miss the following weekend's visit of Manchester City with a calf problem, while Kieran Trippier is a major doubt for the derby because of a groin issue.

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Howe will prioritise trying to build the belief of his players in the coming days and says the lengthy injury list he's had to deal with in recent months has been the main reason behind the loss of form.

"They're human beings so naturally we're not at our most confident currently and we have to do everything we can to protect that confidence because it's so important," said Newcastle's head coach.

"That's why I think, I know I've said it before, but we can't over-react and over-dramatise things. We have a huge game to come and all our energy and resources have to go towards that."

Howe says it's only in recent weeks that confidence has dipped, adding: "We've played some brilliant football at times this year, I think if we're going to go into the depth talk then I have to bring up injuries and the players who aren't here.

"You take any team in the Premier League and take half their team away, you're going to notice that over a long period of time and a month where you play every three days. We've been put in a tough spot.

"The big thing I look for is commitment and effort. As long as we have that we'll be fine."