NEWCASTLE UNITED and Sunderland meet in the FA Youth Cup fifth round at the Stadium of Light tonight, and for one Magpies player it will offer the chance to prove a few people wrong.

Sunderland-born Ben Drennan will line up against his boyhood club, having been released by the Black Cats seven years ago.

The England Under-17 was a regular at the Stadium of Light as a youngster and tonight he will return looking to help Newcastle progress to the next round and prove a point.

“I'm buzzing to play at the Stadium of Light,” Drennan, who came off the bench for the Magpies in last season's 4-0 fourth round victory over Sunderland at St. James' Park, told nufc.co.uk.

“I've never played there before, it's my home club and all my friends and family will be there.

“I've been going since I was little, since the age of four or five with my dad, and I know their centre-back Ross Colquhoun.

“But when I was younger, Sunderland released me so I want to prove them wrong - and I know we can beat them.”

"The team spirit is great. We're all close, we're all friends together.

"We're all one big unit and that showed in the last round against Middlesbrough when we came from behind to win.

“It was good to score in the last minute. It was a hard game and I thought in the second half we didn't play as well as we can but there's still more to come from us.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland head of coaching Elliot Dickman has urged his side to control their emotions ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby.

The Young Black Cats saw off Ipswich Town in the fourth round to set up the highly-anticipated tie, and Dickman explained the need to keep calm as the Lads look to continue their cup run.

“Hopefully the lads will be able to control and channel their emotions in a positive manner, because they’re very excited and we want to compete whilst ensuring we remain in the game,” Dickman told safc.com.

“Having the game at the stadium gives our players a big boost and we have already played there in the cup against Ipswich Town, so for the staff and for the players it will be another very good experience.”

He added: “Playing at the club’s first-team stadium is great but to do so against Newcastle United is something else, so let’s hope we are talking about a positive result post-match.”

Admission at the Stadium of Light is £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and over-65s. Entry for Newcastle supporters is through turnstiles 57-58 from 6pm.