After the Academy lads' performances in this season's Carling Cup Rafael Benitez says he has no doubts in playing them in the more prestigious FA Cup.
Benitez said: "If you play against a first division team then you should be able to play young players alongside experienced players because they should have the quality and the level. The risk is in not knowing what will happen.
"The young players all have the right mentality and motivation. For example, Alonso might think about the bad pitch at Burnley but other players like John Welsh or Darren Potter just want to get out there and play.
"If you asked the young players at the start of the season how many games they expected to play many of them would say 'none'. Already this season they have had three, four and now five.
"If you are a young player at a big club then you need to be ready to play against all the teams and if the manager asks you to play your reaction should be 'where?' Even if I want you to go in goal, you should say that.
"I asked Potter the other day if he could play left back and he said 'of course, no problem'. That is the mentality you need.
"We will field a good team tonight because we know the competition is important to the supporters. The young players have worked very hard and very well and they have got us to the Carling Cup semi-final. Now we will try the same this time."