Howe on cup final squad fitness, Burn and 'chance to make history'

[ASFN Admin]

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley (16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Aside from injured trio Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles and the suspended Anthony Gordon, Howe confirmed he has a full squad available.
• Howe said the build-up to this final feels "very different" to the one they lost to Manchester United two years ago and the camp is "feeling very good", adding: "We've gone about our business in a really calm, professional way. We've had a really tough run in the Carabao Cup, we've gone round to round and ended up in the final. We are very positive. There's been a lot less emotion and a lot less noise from outside. Hopefully that helps us."
• On Dan Burn's England call-up: "Incredible moment for Dan. There is no-one more deserving, in my opinion. He is such an inspiring guy and a talented player. It is a great football story."
• Howe stressed the importance of the supporters: "We know from the last time we got to the final the feeling of support and unity. We are absolutely going to need them - we need every bit of help we can to push ourselves over the line."
• On team selection: "There are always decisions to make, that will be no different for this game. We don't have a huge pool of players, [but] we have a very tight squad. We are in a good place after the win on Monday night and that was a big thing for us. Everyone wants to play in these bigger games."
• Howe wants to harness the "motivation" to end the Magpies' long major trophy drought: "A lot is made of that - of course I understand why. But, I think it's a real motivation for us to try to break that long time and that long wait that everyone's feeling. It should be inspiring for us - not a negative. It's a chance to make history for us as a team - that's very rare in football."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Liverpool v Newcastle at 16:30 on Sunday

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