The Tigers host their fellow strugglers in a crucial Barclays Premier League relegation clash tomorrow.

Hull gave themselves some breathing space with a vital win at Fulham last week but they remain just four points above the 17th-placed Magpies and the bottom three.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen, hoping to return from injury, has billed the game as a "cup final" while winger Jonas Gutierrez also wants to "bring it on".

Brown said: "There is a lot of fighting talk coming out of Newcastle and it is interesting to hear that.

"If they had that fighting talk all season they wouldn't be in the position they are in.

"As far as I am concerned, bring your fighting talk to the table at three o'clock and we'll get it on."

Brown senses Newcastle, who have a tough-looking run-in, will be under the greater pressure to win.

He added: "They need the three points, we don't necessarily need three. One will do us."

Hull have already had the better of Newcastle twice this season, winning at St James' Park in a league clash last September and in an FA Cup third-round replay in January.

The latter of those games saw Brown come forehead to forehead with opposite number Joe Kinnear in a fiery touchline exchange.

The pair were both charged with improper conduct over the incident by the Football Association and a hearing is due next week.

Kinnear will not be at the KC Stadium this weekend following recent heart surgery but Brown is full of admiration for the former Wimbledon manager's efforts on Tyneside despite their spat.

"Joe has done a fantastic job there," said Brown, a South Shields native.

"When he came he took the pressure off the players and put it all on himself, hence probably the reason why he is in hospital.

"If the players had accepted that as their responsibility, then they wouldn't be in the trouble they are in.

"As far as I am concerned, Joe not being there will be a hindrance to them."

Brown admits the going has been tough for promoted Hull lately, with the last-gasp success at Craven Cottage nine days ago being the club's first win in 12 league games.

"The first year is, without a shadow of a doubt, the toughest," Brown added. "People talk about second-season syndrome, but give me that now."

Owen's return would give Newcastle a huge lift with games against Arsenal and Chelsea in the coming weeks.

Yet the England striker failed to score in any of the three games Newcastle have played against Hull this season and Tigers defender Michael Turner is determined to shut him out again.

Turner said: "He is a prolific goalscorer and is always dangerous, but hopefully we can keep him and Newcastle quiet.

"You want to play against the best players every week and Michael Owen is one of them. It is exciting to play against these players but you need to do a good job.

"It is a big game, Newcastle are a great club and have got some very good players.

"There is a little bit of pressure on both sides, so whoever deals with it will come out on top.

"We know the situation is in our hands. We got a great win at Fulham and we need to get another three points on the board."

Hull are without Dean Marney due to suspension but, otherwise, long-term injury victims George Boateng and Jimmy Bullard are the only absentees.

Boateng has been in Holland for rehabilitation after knee surgery and could be back in contention to face Portsmouth on April 4.

Record signing Bullard is now back in Hull after a knee reconstruction in the United States and hopes to return next season.

"Everything is going to plan for him," Brown said of Bullard.

"He is great to have about, fantastic. He is a good character, always got a smile on his face.

"I'm just looking forward to working with him next year in the Premier League."