It is actually happening. Newcastle United get an away draw in the cup again but we don't care

The FA Cup third-round draw took place today with Newcastle United assigned the number 27 ball.

Newcastle always seem to be drawn out of the bowl by whoever is pulling out the away side and it was no different today, but this was one time that fans just won't care because this one is not about the destination, it's about the opposition.

Eddie Howe's Mighty Mags will take the short trip down the road to face Championship side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

It will be the first derby in seven years

It will be the first derby since 2016 when Sunderland slid down the Football League like a fireman when the bell rings in the station.

The fixtures are due to take place around the weekend of 6th and 7th January 2024 so we don't have long to wait.

It will of course, be Eddie Howe's first local derby as Newcastle boss and it's going to be fantastic to see just how his Newcastle side compares to the last few that struggled against that lot down the road.

Newcastle need to overcome their FA Cup hoodoo

Newcastle don't tend to do well in the FA Cup, even under Eddie Howe we've struggled in this competition, but this is the time to turn it around with there being so much more at stake than just a place in the fourth round.

We've got some making up to do in this fixture after so many 'recent' defeats. It's time to right those wrongs.

I don't think I've ever celebrated a cup draw before, but I did with this one. The excitement is huge. Let's just hope we have enough players fit to put out a team. Maybe Lewis Miley didn't score yesterday because he's destined to score against the Mackems next month. Could. You. Imagine?