STEVE BRUCE has encouraged Newcastle United supporters to dream of a trip to Wembley after his side saw off West Bromwich Albion to book their first appearance in the FA Cup quarter-finals since 2006.

The Magpies will discover their last-eight opponents this evening after Miguel Almiron’s first-half double and a second-half strike from Valentino Lazaro secured a fifth-round win at the Hawthorns.

Matt Phillips and Kenneth Zohore scored late goals to take some of the gloss off Newcastle’s success, but Bruce’s side held on to secure a 3-2 victory that was raucously celebrated by more than 5,000 travelling supporters.

The visiting contingent sang of heading to Wembley, and with the semi-finals due to be played at the national stadium, the Magpies are just one win away from what would be a first FA Cup appearance at the home of English football since 2000.

“The supporters would love a day out at Wembley, I’m sure they would, and now we’re just one win away,” said Bruce, who was rewarded for playing a strong starting line-up against the Baggies. “Let’s look forward to the draw and see who we get. Can we get a home tie and fill it to the rafters? Who knows?

“I experienced it at Hull, and if you ask the supporters at Hull what they enjoyed most, Premier League survival or being in the Premier League, all of them to a man or woman would say the day out at Wembley is the one thing they’ve enjoyed the most.

“How often does a club like that get to Wembley? We’re a step closer so let’s see who we pull out of the hat, but there’s still some big teams left in, isn’t there?”

Having been criticised for their lack of a cutting edge for much of the season, Newcastle’s attackers silenced their critics in impressive style as they tore West Brom apart for the opening hour last night.

Almiron scored two more goals to add to the two he scored in the two third-round ties against Rochdale, Allan Saint-Maximin claimed two assists and Joelinton also caught the eye as he led the line impressively.

Having switched formations for last weekend’s home game with Burnley, Bruce was delighted with his side’s attacking play and is set to stick with his new system again when Newcastle visit Southampton in the league on Saturday.

“They’ve (the forwards) been criticised, so it was nice to see them play with a bit of freedom,” said the Magpies boss. “Maybe the change in system suits them. We have to tighten up defensively a bit, but in the last couple of games we’ve looked more of a threat and that’s important.

“I thought (Almiron) looked a top, top player. We all know he can score, it’s just he didn’t get off to a great start. He missed a few chances and that eats away at you. But the one thing you can’t deny is that the kid is a top player.

“I also thought Tino (Lazaro) gave us a nice balance on the right-hand side, I thought his movement and touch was good. For an hour, I was delighted with us. It’s a shame we finished the last ten minutes the way we did but we’re in the last eight and it wouldn’t be Newcastle if we weren’t to make a late drama out of it.”

A report emerged yesterday morning suggesting Bruce had had a bust-up with Saint-Maximin over the Frenchman’s availability for the Burnley game, but the Newcastle manager insists he remains on good terms with the winger.

Saint-Maximin’s hamstring has been a source of concern in the last couple of weeks, but having declared himself fit on Monday, the summer signing was one of Newcastle’s key players as they dominated most of last night’s game.

“Allan was a doubt,” said Bruce. “There was nonsense written that I’ve had a fall-out with him, but he didn’t train on Sunday and we were wary of him. You always have to be wary with the two hamstring injuries he’s had, and he was sore on Thursday.

“That made my mind up not to risk him (against Burnley), but he trained well (on Monday) and declared himself right. He’s a great talent, since he walked through the door, we could all see that.”