ALAN SHEARER has praised Wolves’ run to the FA Cup semi-finals, and criticised Rafael Benitez’s decision not to prioritise the competition at Newcastle United this season.

Wolves booked their place in the last four when they beat Manchester United at the weekend, and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are joined in the semi-final line-up by Watford and Brighton.

Wolves and Watford could be described as ‘mid-table’ Premier League sides, while Brighton still find themselves battling against the drop in the final two months of the season, but all three sides can now look forward to at least one trip to Wembley.

Newcastle have never played at the ‘new Wembley’, and their wait for a maiden appearance continues after they crashed out of this season’s FA Cup at the fourth-round stage, suffering a home defeat to Watford.

Having made a host of changes for the two third-round ties against Blackburn Rovers, Benitez once again named a shadow side against Watford, and while the Hornets made a host of alterations themselves, Newcastle were comprehensively outplayed as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat.

Shearer feels the decision not to prioritise the cup competitions is a mistake, and having been part of the Newcastle sides that played in the FA Cup final in 1998 and 1999, the former skipper has criticised Benitez’s refusal to play full-strength teams.

Writing in his column in The Sun, Shearer said: “Let us also salute the brilliance of Wolves. They’ve shown great respect for the FA Cup and put out strong teams to try and win it when the likes of Newcastle, Leicester and Bournemouth did not.

“Why sides which are unlikely to get relegated do that I will never know. It sends out a bad message to the fans who want to experience the joy of winning silverware.

“Of course they want to stay in the Premier League, but there is no substitute for a triumphant day out at Wembley, that is what makes for the best memories. You only have to see how Molineux was rocking on Saturday night to see the benefits a good cup run can have on a club.”