Although we have faced some mighty giants this season including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and AC Milan, tomorrow's game against Sunderland feels like the biggest test of the Eddie Howe era. We are severely out of form and don't have a great record against our closest rivals, so Howe will be expected to field a strong Newcastle lineup.
However, he won't be helped by the amount of injuries int he squad. This isn't a new phenomenon though, since the English bos has been without most of his squad for a large chunk of the season until now.
The magic of the FA Cup is the brilliant chance for young players to make it into top teams. Just thinking back in recent seasons, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden all made a name for themselves in games like this for their respective clubs. So for Newcastle, who could follow in Lewis Miley's footsteps?
MORE: Sunderland vs Newcastle preview - Prediction, team news, lineups & how to watch on TV
Newcastle lineup news vs Sunderland: Eddie Howe calls up "fantastic" 18-year-old
Well, according to a report from Newcastle World, it could be the 18-year-old academy starlet Travis Hernes. The youngster has been pictured in training, meaning that Eddie Howe is considering him for the important FA Cup round 3 clash against Sunderland.
It's unlikely that Hernes will make the Newcastle lineup, but it's certainly exciting for fans and the youngster himself. Having impressed with the U18s, U19s and the U21s already this season, he is due a first-team call-up sometime in the near future. Even if he makes an appearance from the bench against Sunderland, it would be a terrific experience for the youngster, who has already played in the EFL Cup this season.
Hernes has scored two goals and provided an assist in his four U18 Premier League appearances this season, plying his trade in the midfield. Described by his former director of football at Shrewsbury as:
"“Travis is a fantastic young man and everyone at Shrewsbury would like to wish him luck for his move to Newcastle. ""Micky Moore (DoF at Shrewsbury)
What would be your Newcastle lineup to face Sunderland in the FA Cup?