ALAN PARDEW has described the buzz building up to tonight’s appearance in the Capital One Cup quarter-final by claiming Newcastle United’s players are like children heading for the funfair.

The Magpies are at White Hart Lane tonight looking to seal a place in the last four of the competition and edge a step closer to the club’s first Wembley appearance since 2000.

And such a prospect has caught the imagination on the training ground, where Newcastle squad are aiming to build on a recent run of good form by riding in to a semi-final.

To have reached the last-eight stage has certainly increased the focus on the cup competitions, with the club hierarchy regularly pointing out to fans that securing a strong Premier League finish has always remained the priority.

With Wembley on the horizon, however, the need to turn up and put in a strong display at Tottenham is high in the manager’s thinking.

“There is a spring in the step of the players. There are people wondering if they are playing and what a chance this is,” said Pardew. “It's like going to funfair, I guess. When you are young, you are really looking forward to it because it's going to be exciting and that's the sense you get – and there's where we are.

“We have done well to get ourselves into this position. We have done well in the league so that sets up that game (the derby with Sunderland) up nicely. We had two fantastic results in the cup, beating two Premier League sides, just to get to where we are.

“We are now going to try to take this opportunity. It's about grasping it. I have played in quarter-finals before and there is just extra meaning to it. You just sense it. You are close. You are eight teams away. I can feel the squad bubbling under in terms of the excitement and looking forward to the two games.”

In terms of this season the next five days will go a long way in determining how successful Newcastle are this term. A victory at Spurs would tee up a memorable semi-final double header and then they will look to make amends for successive home defeats to Sunderland when the Wearsiders travel to St James’ Park on Sunday.

Given Newcastle’s position towards the top end of the Premier League, some fans are suggesting that progressing in the Capital One Cup is more important than the outcome of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby.

Pardew said: “Look, the derby is a Premier League game and an important one. We are all aware of that. It carries more significance in this area, and maybe in the football world because of the fixture's history.

“But, you know, a quarter-final of the League Cup doesn't come around too often for this club – and for Spurs, by the way. So both clubs know it's an important game. We will have a strong team to take there – and they are in good form. I love the cup competitions. I've not really had too much joy here. I really love the cups and I'm looking forward to Wednesday night.

“This cup run we have had has eased the embarrassment a little bit. I don't think it will take away the pain of Brighton and Stevenage, and the Cardiff game which we should have won. That was such a disappointment and we carried that for a little while in our mood and personality.

“I just hope that whatever happens that we put a performance on for four 4,000 fans. There are not many clubs who would go to Arsenal, come all the way back up, have a rest and then go back down to London again with that sort of following. I appreciate that and their support is important.”

Newcastle plan to practise penalties before facing Tottenham, with Pardew braced for an encounter which could go all of the way. He does have a few injury concerns, though, as he looks for a response to Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal. Right-back Daryl Janmaat is suspended.

“Papiss Cisse has a heavy cold, we will have to see how he is. Cheick Tiote has a slight strain, so they are the two worries,” said Pardew, who does have Steven Taylor and Moussa Sissoko back from suspension.

“Mike Williamson has a slight problem. Rolando Aarons had a little setback, again, at the weekend. We are going to have to wait and see about that. We need to make sure we get him through and he's ready to go.

“It will be interesting to see the fitness levels of the two teams. These are two of the fittest teams in the league. I think this game could go all the way, through extra time. It will be tight and hopefully we can come through the other end.”

Tottenham: Vorm; Walker, Fazio, Chiriches, Davies; Bentaleb, Mason; Cahdli, Townsend, Eriksen; Kane.

Newcastle: Alnwick; Dummett, Taylor, Coloccini, Haidara; Colback, Abeid; Cabella, Sissoko, Ameobi; Perez.