Newcastle United are in high spirits despite the absences in their squad and will look to present a unified front when they return to Wembley Stadium for the League Cup final against Liverpool, manager Eddie Howe said on Friday.

That went against usual football diplomacy, where players talk of only focusing on the next game, but that’s perhaps part of the charm. It’s also part of the strange dynamics of these occasions, that at once enrich football but can also make it so emotionally wrenching.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admits he is braced to make a decision that will cause deep disappointment at Wembley - but has urged those who do end up on the bench to quickly support their team-mates for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.