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Jamaal Lascelles admits some former Newcastle United players may have looked to take FA Cup third-round weekend off - but insists this current Magpies squad want to progress deep into the competition.

Rafa Benitez named a strong XI for Saturday’s third-round tie against Luton Town at St James’ Park, and Newcastle advanced into the next stage with a 3-1 victory.

It is just the fifth time during Mike Ashley’s 10-and-a-half-year ownership of the club that United have progressed into the fourth round, and in the past senior players were often absent from the matchday squad on Cup weekends.

Lascelles has even acknowledged that some former Magpies would ask for FA Cup weekend off, but stresses the current Newcastle squad will always treat the tournament with respect.

(Image: Newcastle United)

“A lot of times you see managers pick lesser teams in the cups, but our manager named a strong one,” Newcastle captain explained.

“He said to me before the game: ‘We want to go out there and win and see how far we can get.’

“It’s not like the Championship when you are playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. You usually only play once a week in the Premier League, so it’s not as if you need to rest players.

“The players are happy with that - we want to play. He didn’t have to rest anyone because we don’t have another game for a week.

“In the past some players may have looked to have this weekend off after the busy period. It certainly wouldn’t happen now. Everybody wants to play and is pleased to be picked - that wasn’t always the case.

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“We have a good group of lads here and everyone wants the same thing. We all work hard and we are friends on and off the pitch, as you can tell from the football we try to play.

“OK, results haven’t always gone great for us recently but at the same time we are playing good football. Not many teams score too many goals past us.”

Though Newcastle have only advanced into the last 32, Lascelles admits it would be a “dream come true” for him to one day lift the FA Cup as Magpies captain.

But he accepts that, with a kind draw, Untied can hope to progress deep into the latter stages of the competition.

“Yes, it’s something I would love to do. That would be a dream come true for me,” the 24-year-old replied when asked if he ever thought of winning a trophy with Newcastle.

“I lifted the Championship trophy last season and would love to lift the Cup. It will be tough. A lot of teams want to win it and will fancy their chances.

“But you never know - we could get another lower-league team at home in the next round and who know what happens after that.”

Lascelles was forced off just past the half-hour mark during the win over Luton after feeling a slight tinge in his groin.

However, the Magpies captain is adamant it was merely precautionary, stressing he will train on Tuesday and be fit to take on Swansea City in the Premier League next weekend.

“I’m fine. I felt it go a little bit and took no chances. I just wanted to make sure we won. I’m fine for next week,” Lascelles added.

“It’s nothing really and I’ll be training Tuesday. I felt it a bit and didn’t want to make it worse. I think I made the right decision to come off and get it right for Swansea.”