Here are your top Newcastle United headlines for February 25.
Pope's text
Sean Longstaff is sitting in front of reporters in the indoor pitch at Newcastle United's training ground, but the Geordie does not want to be here. In the nicest possible way.
You see it was Nick Pope who was supposed to be looking ahead to Newcastle's date with destiny at Wembley as the Magpies bid to end their 54-year wait for silverware. Only those plans had to change when Pope was sent off against Liverpool last week and the goalkeeper was handed a one-match ban. Hence Longstaff's last-minute call-up for media duties.
Longstaff feels it should be Pope in his seat previewing Sunday's Carabao Cup final versus Manchester United because of 'how important he is and how good he has been'. However, it is rather fitting that the midfielder has stepped up in his team-mate's absence. Longstaff is one of Pope's closest friends in the dressing room and felt the pain of the Newcastle number one's red card more than most after he handled the ball outside his area midway through the first half.
You can read the full story here.
Trippier's vow
Kieran Trippier would love to be Newcastle United's very own version of Tom Brady. The NFL star finally retired at the age of 45 this year after an illustrious and glittering career with New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Trippier's contributions to Newcastle this season have been similar to Brady as he has pulled the strings for the Magpies and been the cool head in the camp as they have made their way to the Carabao Cup final.
Trippier, who will be 33 later this year, signed a contract extension with the Magpies recently until 2025 but hopes he can be here much longer. The full-back is excited about life at Newcastle but also the longevity of what was once deemed a short career by older pros.
You can read the full story here.
Howe's Wembley experience
Eddie Howe took a look back to his time as a player with AFC Bournemouth to help remind himself of how his squad will feel on cup final day.
Howe admits that the Auto Windscreens Shield final of 1998 is nowhere near as prestigious as the Carabao Cup final. But his big day still came in front of 62,432 at the old Wembley.
Unfortunately for Howe and the Cherries they were beaten by a golden goal from Wayne Burnett in extra time and lost to Grimsby Town in front of the old twin towers. But he still feels that his experience can help him pass on advice to his stars.
You can read the full story here.
NUFC Notes
Newcastle United's players can achieve what no other squad has achieved since 1955 this weekend as they look to win a domestic cup for the first time in decades.
Back then a 3-1 win over Manchester City at the old Wembley handed Newcastle the trophy thanks to goals from Jackie Milburn, Bobby Mitchell and George Hannah. Milburn's goal came after just 45 seconds so a start like that would be just the job this weekend.
One thing the current Magpies can do is win the League Cup for the first time ever with their final appearance - also against Man City in 1976 - the closest they've come in recent decades. Magpie history is waiting to be made this weekend.
You can read the full story here.
Carabao Cup run so far
Newcastle United's road to Wembley began on a warm night on the Wirral away to Tranmere Rovers on a strange old night at Prenton Park.
Things were hardly going to plan on second round night in the Carabao Cup when Elliot Nevitt netted after 21 minutes to give Rovers a deserved lead. We didn't know it then but the narrative for this season's competition for Newcastle was already being written behind the main stand as Martin Dubravka's loan move to Manchester United was being finalised by the club's admin staff.
The fact that Dubravka would later be ineligible because of it for Newcastle in the final that night probably didn't dawn on anybody. A reminder on the charmed life of a goalkeeper did come when Karl Darlow was crocked by a bad tackle but played on.
Darlow's own cup fate would also unfold later in the season but it was thanks to Kieran Trippier that United hauled themselves back into the game. Had Emil Krafth not picked up a bad injury, Trippier may not have been involved at all but within minutes of his arrival he had reorganised a Newcastle team in trouble to haul them back level after whipping in a corner for Jamaal Lascelles to power home.
Only then could another player who can't play this weekend in Chris Wood provide Newcastle with a crucial moment of their cup run when he scored the winner eight minutes before the hour. It was a win that set up a third round clash at home to Crystal Palace but Newcastle would have to wait until November 9 for that clash at St James' Park.
You can read the full story here.
Botman on speculation
Sven Botman admits it was difficult to ignore the 'chaotic' transfer speculation in the months leading up to his eventual Newcastle United transfer. The Magpies landed their top defensive target at the second attempt after reaching a £35 million agreement with Lille in the summer.
Newcastle had seen their mid-season advances turned down by the former Ligue 1 champions, with Champions League knockout ties against Chelsea on the horizon. Eddie Howe instead bolstered his defence with the additions of Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier, and guided the relegation favourites to a comfortable mid-table finish.
However, United maintained their interest and saw off competition from Serie A champions AC Milan to sign the now 23-year-old who has since been labelled a 'future Newcastle captain' by Warren Barton. Botman has quickly established himself as an integral member of one of the Premier League's best defences this term, and the Netherlands youth international admits the prospect of a St James' Park switch played on his mind for the final months of last season.
You can read the full story here.
Shearer on Karius
Alan Shearer believes the Carabao Cup final is an opportunity for Loris Karius to remind everyone he's a capable goalkeeper. The Newcastle United shot stopper has not played competitive first-team action in over two-years but could be thrust into the limelight at Wembley.
The German goalkeeper has played in big occasions in the Champions League final, but is remembered for conceding two howlers against Real Madrid. It later transpired that Karius was concussed and that played a part in those mistakes, but the stigma still follows him round.
Eddie Howe was yet to make a decision on who would start in goal following Nick Pope's suspension. Karius and Mark Gillespie are the two options available to the Magpies head coach, with Martin Dubravka cup-tied having played two games in the League Cup for Erik Ten Hag's side during his loan spell.
You can read the full story here.
READ NEXT
'Pressure is on' - Pundit claims Loris Karius could 'struggle' with Champions League memories
Ex-England and Arsenal man backs Manchester United to have 'too much' for Newcastle United
'Make history' - Nobby Solano urges Newcastle United to right the wrongs of 1999 FA Cup final defeat
Jamie Carragher told to 'behave' after Manchester United referee joke ahead of Carabao Cup final
Newcastle pair Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes get special matching haircuts ahead of cup final
