Newcastle United have been handed a trip to Sheffield Wednesday on FA Cup third round day, but almost landed a dramatic derby draw with Sunderland with just one ball separating the Tyne and Wear rivals in the draw.
The tie will take place in early January at Hillsborough against the League One side who lost in the play-offs to Sunderland last season. It means for the second season running Newcastle are pitched against third flight opponents in the first hurdle of their cup campaign.
The Magpies were dumped out of the FA Cup on third round day to League One minnows Cambridge United at St James' Park last season in one of the shocks of the season. The draw was made by former England Liverpool defender Mark Wright and former Everton goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis.
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United and the Owls last met in a competitive game in 2017 in the Sky Bet Championship when Newcastle lost 2-1 on a day in which Jonjo Shelvey managed a consolation. That was part of a double for Sheff Wed that season as the South Yorkshire club won 1-0 at St James' Park.
The teams last met in the FA Cup in 1981 when the Magpies won 2-1 at St James' Park.
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