Bassong dreams of glory

FA Cup debut whets defender's appetite

Last updated: 5th January 2009

Bassong dreams of glory

Bassong: Cup dream

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Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong is dreaming of FA Cup glory having sampled the competition for the first time at the weekend.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has impressed in recent weeks and returned to Newcastle's side after suspension for Saturday's 0-0 draw at Hull City.

Now having tasted the competition for the first time, he is desperate to keep the club's run going after they were handed a home tie against either Millwall or Crewe of League One in the fourth round if they can get past the Tigers in a replay.

Bassong said: "The FA Cup is world famous. When I was a child in France, I always watched the final.

"No matter what country you are from, you can watch this competition all around the world, and everybody talks about it.

"It's very exciting and for me, it is a dream come true to play in it. It will be good to keep that dream going against Hull.

"We are already looking forward as the FA Cup is important for us this season.

"It's in our hands. We're still in the competition and we have to happy with the draw.

"Now Hull will have to come to Newcastle and we will make it very hard for them to get into the next round."

Growing influence

Bassong's return from suspension - he missed out against Liverpool having been sent off in the 2-1 defeat at Wigan on Boxing Day - was also a factor in an improved display as Joe Kinnear's injury-hit squad welcomed back a man who has become a key member in recent weeks.

"The suspension was frustrating for me and I wanted to come back and have a good game," Bassong added.

"It was good to be back and playing after suspension, and it was a good result to come back with.

"When you keep a clean sheet, then you have done your job. If we can continue to keep it tight and not concede, we will stay in it [the cup] longer."