Caretaker boss Nigel Pearson insists his club's beleagured players have a moral obligation to put the Manchester United nightmare behind them.The managerless Magpies will run out against Championship Stoke at St James' Park on Wednesday night for an FA Cup third-round replay which is ripe for a giant-killing with spirits low in the wake of Sam Allardyce's departure.

Pearson, for the second time in his spell at St James', has the task of trying to engineer a short-term fix as the club looks for a first victory in seven attempts in all competitions.

His efforts are being complicated by the absence of central midfielders Alan Smith and Nicky Butt through suspension, African Nations Cup quartet Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins, while Joey Barton's bail conditions mean he remains unavailable.

However, Pearson is expecting a reaction from whoever he selects for the game and, asked about his own role, said: "It's not easy, but having said that, it is a responsibility I gladly take on based on the fact that it is a situation we find oursleves in and it needs to be done.

"Having said that, it is in everybody's interest that the situation is resolved as quickly as possible because there is a level of uncertainty, and that, I suppose for anybody in any place of work, is difficult.

"What I would say, though, is we have a moral obligation to be as professional as we can. That is expected at every level, and I include myself in that totally.

"It is something that is not ideal - I would rather it not be like it is at the moment. But it is and I have just got to deal with it."

The drubbing at Old Trafford was Newcastle's fourth straight Premier League defeat either side of the 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

However, while all the speculation on Tyneside currently surrounds the identity of Allardyce's successor, Pearson admits a victory on the pitch would do wonders for morale both inside and outside the club.

He said: "It would be great, there is no doubt about that.

"We have to make sure the level of performance is right, and I am sure Tony Pulis, who I know well, and John Rudge and all the staff there will be trying to make the most of what is a difficult situation for us.

"I am sure certain sections of the media will be hoping for an upset as well. We have got to make sure that does not happen.

"We have to be resilient, and certainly the result on Saturday and the fashion of the defeat at times makes that difficult because questions are being raised about people's commitment.

"All I would say is that it is a time now for us to be as professional as possible and go out there and put on a performance, but ultimately, we need the right result."

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