Albion striker Roman Bednar fell in love with the FA Cup two years ago.

Now the striker believes the club can rekindle their fling with the competition, while staying faithful to their top priority of promotion.

Bednar is one of a handful of survivors from 2008, when Tony Mowbray’s team combined their Championship title with a memorable run to the semi-finals of the Cup.

The Czech international, who started the Wembley semi against eventually winners Portsmouth, is convinced the Baggies can recreate history by delivering success on two fronts.

He said: “The cup run of two years ago went well with promotion. If you do well in the League and stick with your vision in the Cup then you can do it in both.

“Two years ago we did it and I think we can also do it this year. This is an escape for us from the League and I always enjoy these games.

“There is less pressure, because we always concentrate more on promotion. But it’s a chance for whoever plays to do well and we will want to win.

“We approach it the same as the League games. Maybe some players are more relaxed because the promotion push is tough but this is another important game for us and a game we want to win. It’s a welcome thing to have a Cup game. I always enjoy playing cup games, especially the FA Cup with its big history.

“We did well two years ago and it would be happy to get there again, especially for our supporters.”

This season’s Cup campaign already carries echoes of the 2008 season, when Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all made early exits to open the path for Albion, Portsmouth, Barnsley and Cardiff to reach the semi-finals.

Already United and Liverpool have bowed out this term, creating opportunities for England’s lesser lights.

But, for Albion to recreate their 2008 glory they must first get the better of Newcastle at the third time of asking, having already played out two Championship draws with the Magpies.

Bednar is well aware of the potential pitfalls that await the Baggies, both tomorrow and in future rounds.

He said: “We’ve seen two big clubs knocked out but this is the cup and you see that anything can happen. The cup can be crazy and any team can beat you. When you see two big clubs have been knocked out then maybe you do start to think about doing well, but this season we have seen that any team can beat any other.

“I hope we can play good football. We showed it at Newcastle on Monday and hopefully we can do it again at home. I remember two years ago we played about four or five games away and it was tough. It’s a good competition to be in and do well in.”

Albion will clash with Newcastle for a third time this season tomorrow, having played out 1-1 and 2-2 draws in their League encounters.

They emerged from both matches feeling short-changed by their points return and Bednar would willingly accept a fortunate passage into the fifth round.

But the striker is braced for another tough clash with Chris Hughton’s side tomorrow and is keen to avoid a replay and a fourth meeting with the Magpies.

He said: “It might be fiery, especially as we know the type of players Newcastle have. After the game on Monday, Alan Smith said it had been a tough game and I think it will be the same.

“The rivalry will be there. We want to show that we are a better team than them, but they have more points and are above us. So it will be a good game.

“On Saturday maybe we may not deserve to win but we will. We showed in both games that we can match them.It was a shame about the results but I think we did well.

“Everyone hates replays. We have a lot of games coming up so it’s important the game is settled over 90 minutes.”

Bednar is keen to continue his recent goalscoring form with the big targetman having found the net in his last two Albion appearances.

After earning a recall to the starting line-up at St James’ Park on Monday, the in-form striker admitted the pressure is on to perform with Ishmael Miller, Simon Cox and Luke Moore all waiting in the wings to take his place.

Bednar said: “I think I am in my best shape for a while. My fitness is okay and I’m scoring goals in training every day, so I’m happy. I thought I did okay for a couple of weeks before but the ball just didn’t run into the goal.

“But then I scored against Forest and everything was lifted and I need to try to keep doing this. I am under pressure to score because we have lots of good strikers. It’s up to the gaffer. He knows what he’s doing. If I have bad days then I will be on bench but if I he thinks I should play then I’ll play.

“When I got injured Coxy and Luke did well and it’s always good to have competition.”