Pardew: Magpies now have ‘spring in step’

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has compared his players’ anticipation for their Capital One Cup quarter-final showdown with Tottenham to that felt before a trip to the "fun fair".

The Magpies head for White Hart Lane tonight (kick-off 7.45pm)buoyed by a run of just two defeats in 11 outings in all competitions since September.

Even injuries and suspensions have not dampened hopes on Tyneside after Pardew’s men dispensed with Manchester City on their own pitch in the fourth round.