AT first glance it would appear to defy all logic.

A potential Tyne-Tees FA Cup semi-final clash - the biggest game the region has seen for decades - to be played, where else, but Manchester.

Apart from having the largest capacity of England's football stadia, the only possible logical explanation would be that the FA have decided the replay at Highbury is a foregone conclusion.

Newcastle United will be beaten by Arsenal and the Gunners are already there. Then Old Trafford would be the obvious and correct location for the semi-final.

But - perish the thought - if those minnows of Newcastle do somehow triumph against all the odds and beat the mighty London giants then the ramifications of the decision will begin to hit home.

The potential is for some 70,000 Newcastle and Middlesbrough fans leaving the North-West all heading in the same direction - 35,000 of whom will not exactly be in the best of moods.

Piccadilly Station would definitely be a place to avoid come April 14, as would every train station and motorway service area between Manchester and Darlington.

The fact that there is a near-50,000 stadium ideally situated almost equi-distant between the two clubs appears to have been largely forgotten down at Football Association's headquarters.

Admittedly the policing of that particular venue would be contentious - three sets of fans mixing in pubs would cause a headache for even the most senior of officers.

But it is the 21st century and Northumbria Police were not contacted for their comments on staging a Tyne-Tees game at the Stadium of Light. The only reason given is Sunderland play Liverpool the day before - kick-off 5.35pm.

If Newcastle do beat Arsenal, then the day before the semi-final Old Trafford plays host to Manchester United against Arsenal.

But that will have a likely noon kick-off so those five hours make all the difference - oh yes they do!

The FA could have chosen two venues, with the stadium being selected depending on the result of the Newcastle-Arsenal replay.

Leeds was ruled out because apparently West Yorkshire police just didn't fancy it.

''What's the point in trying to build a new stadium if we can't get the police to control a high-profile matches like this semi-final?'' said Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale.

Then again what's the point of sending 70,000 North-East fans on a 250 to 300-mile round trip when you can send 50,000 on a 50-mile round trip?

The FA appear to know, but then again the all-London Chelsea against Fulham semi-final is being played in Birmingham. At the FA's Soho Square HQ, Mr Logic appears to have left the building.