‘I’m not bitter!’ - Wallsend-born star sets sights on Newcastle return in January

Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith is hoping for a trip to boyhood club Newcastle United in the third round of the FA Cup.

The 31-year-old netted a brace in the League One club’s 2-1 win over Mansfield Town on Sunday and has set his sights on facing the Magpies.

Smith, born in Wallsend, has never been on United’s books and started his senior career at Darlington in 2010.

“I’d like Newcastle away but I’ll take any Premier League club away,” Smith told the Yorkshire Post.

“I’ve never managed to get there as a player – plenty of times as a Newcastle fan. It would be lovely to before I retire.

“The Cup magic is still there for me. I remember watching it as a kid with my dad, finals at the old Wembley and at Cardiff.”

“It was a rite of passage, coming from where I’m from,” he said. “I never had a trial at Newcastle, but I’m not bitter or anything!”

The draw for the third round takes place tonight (Monday, November 28) live on BBC Two, plus the FA’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages from 7pm.

As is tradition, the FA Cup third round will take place early in the new year, with ties spread across the weekend of Saturday January 7.

Televised ties will be announced following the completion of any second round replays, which will take place in the first week of December.

Eddie Howe’s side suffered a shock exit to Cambridge United at the third round stage last season.