FROM DARK DAYS TO WEMBGLEE

Local hero Longstaff smiles better after Ritchie's advice out him on road to recovery

- SIMON BIRD

SEAN LONGSTAFF has admitted he was saved by team-mate Matt Ritchie after a mental breakdown left him in tears.

The Geordie midfielder will walk out at Wembley on Sunday with a huge smile, feeling free from pressure and ready to help Newcastle make history in the Carabao Cup.

But the 25-year-old endured a tough time after a knee injury hampered his rapid progress, and he feared for his future while Steve Bruce was a manager at St James’ Park.

Current Magpies boss Eddie Howe has got Longstaff flying – his two goals in the semi-final second leg against Southampton earned the Toon a place at Wembley and a crack at their first domestic trophy since 1955.

Longstaff said: “Matty Ritchie pulled me aside and said, ‘Longy you need some help’.

“I was miserable. I wasn’t nice to be around in training and he saw that. Some people let you drift away, but he pulled me back and he said, ‘You need to sort it out’.