After coming through a tough FA Youth Cup tie away at Portsmouth last next, Academy Manager, Jim Cassell is now looking forward to some home comforts in round five of the competition.

The holders will now host Newcastle next month, who themselves came through an away tie during the week, beating QPR 3-1 at Loftus Road.


A home draw has been a rarity over the past few years for the young Blues with only one in three years prior to this coming round.


During last year’s successful run to the final, the team had to travel to Reading, Bristol and Plymouth before semi final and final trips to Sunderland and Chelsea.


Already this season Cassell and the squad have faced long journeys to Swansea and Portsmouth but now the fifth round tie provides the City faithful with a good chance to cast an eye over this year’s crop of talented youngsters.


“It’s a good chance for us as well because we don’t often play there,” Jim said.


“I don’t mind the away trips because I think it’s a great bonding session for the players and staff but it will be nice to play at the City of Manchester Stadium.


“I’m not sure what the date will be yet, we’ll have to get the two clubs together and I’ll leave that for other people to work out.


“There’s a lot of pressure on the boys this year. A lot is expected now and I think you can see that when we play we can play very well.”


Also, the draw has been made for the remainder of the competition with City handed another home tie against either Everton or Norwich City, if they can see off Newcastle first.


A tough semi final lies in wait for the Blues, provided they come through, they could face a rematch of last year’s semi with Sunderland or a hotly tipped Arsenal side.


FA Youth Cup Quarter Final draw:


1. Cardiff City or Birmingham City v Ipswich Town or Crystal Palace or Watford

  

2. MANCHESTER CITY or Newcastle United  v Everton or Norwich City


3. Plymouth Argyle or Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland or Arsenal

  

4. Liverpool or Chelsea   v    Nottingham Forest or Bolton Wanderers



FA Youth Cup Semi Final draw:


1. MANCHESTER CITY or Newcastle United    v    Plymouth Argyle or Tottenham Hotspur

    or Everton or Norwich City                                      or Sunderland or Arsenal           


2. Cardiff City or Birmingham City              v      Liverpool or Chelsea 

    or Ipswich Town or Crystal Palace                 or Nottingham Forest or Bolton Wanderers

    or Watford