Why Newcastle FA Cup fixture is about more than keeping Treble hopes alive for Man City

As the final international break of the season looms, Manchester City will be hoping to emerge from the other side of it with their hopes of winning three more trophies this season still intact.

Following their Club World Cup success in Saudi Arabia in December, City are still in with a chance of retaining their Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup crowns. They face Newcastle United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday, meaning the outcome of that encounter will dictate the mood heading into the final pause of the campaign.

City, who have won the FA Cup twice under Pep Guardiola, are strong favourites to get the better of Eddie Howe's side, who required a penalty shootout to see off Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the previous round. City, on the flip side, made light work of Luton Town, hitting them for six.

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But as the Premier League title race intensifies, where should the FA Cup rank on City's scale of priorities? As well as trying to retain their Premier League and FA Cup crowns, they are also fighting tooth and nail to remain top of the podium in Europe.

They cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League last week and are waiting to find out who they will face in the last eight. Along with their pursuit of the title alongside Arsenal and Liverpool, City will resume their European campaign after the international break.

The March pause marks the final chance to recharge the batteries before the final sprint to the finish line. The fact City could reach that finish line by winning