AFC Wimbledon boss makes 'special' St James' Park claim Newcastle United will love

The Dons were due to host Newcastle at Plough Lane last Tuesday but the match was called off after flooding caused significant damage to the pitch.

A fundraiser was set up to help the League Two side combat the issues after they were forced to postpone further home fixtures against Crewe Alexander and Accrington Stanley, and Newcastle responded by donating £15,000 towards the £50,000 target.

In addition to that, Wimbledon - as per Carabao Cup rules - will pocket 45% of the proceeds from tonight’s match with St James’ Park a 52,000 sell-out.

“We want to say thank you to Newcastle as a club,” said Jackson. “They were really helpful in switching the game so quickly - they didn’t have to do that. They’ve also donated to the fundraising, which is also a fantastic gesture. That probably encouraged others to get behind it too.”

Newcastle have been very accommodating but that will be forgotten by Jackson’s side when they cross the white line. Indeed, they have already claimed a Premier League scalp having knocked out Ipswich Town in the second round.

“This is why we do it - this is the reward for beating Ipswich,” Jackson said. “We took that game really seriously and we went into it believing that we could win, and we pulled it off. It was meant to be a home game, and it becomes more difficult now going to Newcastle, but the lads get to experience it.

“They’re a great side. They were really impressive on Saturday against the champions Manchester City. It’ll be a stern test after they claimed a point. They are coached fantastically by Eddie Howe and his staff and are right up there at the pinnacle of English football as a club. It’ll be a brilliant test for us as players and staff.”

Jackson & Co are relishing the opportunity to play at St James’ Park. The Dons manager himself has done it as a player after coming on a late substitute for Tottenham Hotspur in 2004.

“I think I had a little cameo towards the end to help secure the points,” said Jackson. “I remember how big it is. It’s an unbelievable place to play football, a special place and I’ve had a little run out there. It’s going to be a special place for our supporters to go there and get behind their team.

“It will be unbelievably hard, but we have to believe we can get a positive result at St James’ Park and go there with a game plan that’s going to give us a chance of doing that. We expect them to be full throttle in whatever they do and we’re preparing to face the best possible Newcastle. If we do that - it gives us the best possible chance too.”