Sheffield Wednesday's Michael Smith reflects on a special FA Cup draw with boyhood heroes Newcastle United

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY striker Michael Smith has hailed a dream seven days which has seen him become a father for the second time and the Owls draw a plum FA Cup tie against his boyhood side Newcastle United.

The Geordie frontman, who netted twice in Wednesday's 2-1 second-round victory over Mansfield last Saturday, is hoping to round things off nicely against Derby, managed by someone who he knows well in ex-Rotherham United boss Paul Warne, on Saturday.

On the draw, Wallsend-born Smith said: "I was chuffed. I was at my sister's at the time and completely forgot that the draw was on.

"My phone was then going mad with texts coming through and phone calls. I knew something had happened and we'd got Newcastle or Man United away or something."

Michael Smith.placeholder image
Michael Smith.

Specifically on the prospect of playing against the Magpies, he continued: "The manager mentioned it the other day and congratulated us on my little one and then we went onto talk about the Newcastle game, so I think he knows!

"It would be massive. I have never managed to play them in a competitive game and for me personally, it would be huge. But it has got to go on the back-burner a little bit now as we have some important games between now and then."

Speaking about his Owls start, Smith, who has scored seven times in all competitions, added: "I'd have liked a lot more to be honest, but it's a platform to build off going into the second half of the season and hopefully I can kick on and get a few more goals and help the team as much as possible."

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