Stoke forward Jon Parkin admits he is still struggling to get over the fact the Potters need an FA Cup third-round replay at Newcastle.When the Yorkshireman got himself onto the end of Fuller's cut-back midway through the second half at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday night, he was convinced he had put Stoke in front.

Instead, as he lifted his head after hitting the deck, Parkin could not believe his eyes as the ball bounced away for a corner.

Unbeknown to the 26-year-old, Newcastle defensive duo Steven Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye had combined to clear his effort off the line, helping preserve the Magpies' place in the FA Cup and, if the rumours are to be believed, keeping Sam Allardyce in a job.

Parkin is not writing off Stoke's chances of causing an upset just yet. But the man affectionately known as 'the Beast' finds it difficult to comprehend the progressive Championship outfit did not cause another third-round upset.

"I am still convinced I scored," he said.

"I have no idea how it stayed out.

"I don't think I could have done anything else. I really believed it was going in and we were going to be in the next round."

At 6ft 4in, Parkin's size provided Newcastle with a difficulty they struggled to handle.

He forced Shay Given into a good save with a firm header and also set up Richard Cresswell for Stoke's other clear chance as the hosts turned up the heat.

Although he accepts home advantage will make Newcastle favourites for the re-match, Parkin feels there is enough anxiety in the Magpies' ranks at present for Stoke to remain optimistic.

"Obviously, Newcastle are having a sticky time, even if they are still 11th in the Premier League, which is not too bad," he said.

"But if we went 1-0 up inside the first 10 minutes, they might start to get a bit nervous.

"We are going up there as underdogs but we want to enjoy ourselves and try to get a win."

While Parkin was making his 26th appearance of the campaign for Tony Pulis' side last night, 21 of those have now come from the bench.

Pulis has previously stated his belief Parkin's greatest asset is as an impact player, principally because the Barnsley-born forward lacks the fitness to have a major role over 90 minutes.

The Stoke manager's theory seems about to be tested as, with Mamady Sidibe about to fly off to join Mali at the African Nations Cup, Parkin is viewed as the most likely replacement.

"I want to be more than just an impact player," said the former York, Macclesfield and Hull star.

"To be fair, Ricardo Fuller and Mamady have been doing well and we are fourth in the league, so I am not really in a position where I can knock on the door and say I should be playing.

"But obviously, with Mama going to play in the African Nations Cup, it might give me a chance to have a run of games in the team and start scoring some goals."

While Pulis is looking forward to the money-spinning trip to Newcastle with relish, he believes Saturday's encounter with Ipswich at Portman Road is far more important to his club.

Victory over one of Stoke's major promotion rivals would lift his team to within touching distance of an automatic place in the top flight, a place they have not visited since being relegated in 1985.

The arrival of Andy Griffin from Derby will bolster Pulis' squad and with big-name signings expected, it is little wonder the Potters fans are growing increasingly confident about the future.

"We are on the highest level this club has been for a long time," said Pulis.

"These are exciting times and it is nice to be part of it."

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