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.
