Former Newcastle United striker Joe Allon believes the Academy will produce Premiership class players.

Allon was part of the 1985 side that won the FA Youth Cup and after achieving the dream of millions by pulling on the black-and-white No 9 shirt at first-team level and scoring in it, he went on to score goals at Chelsea, Brentford, Hartlepool and Port Vale, Lincoln and Swansea.

Newcastle face Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup semifinal tonight.

Allon told the Evening Chronicle: "You always knew that Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) had potential to go on and be one of the best players in the world.

"He was so confident.

"He'd try things that would leave people dropping their jaws. And we know that this competition is special.

"It's all about whether you can grasp your opportunity on the big stage because that's what it is.

"We played on first team grounds and that has never changed. When the lads run out at Villa Park they will get a taste for the big occasion.

"Then it's up to them, somebody has to follow in the footsteps of Gazza and Co, so why can't it be one of this lot?"