MEET Mark Gillespie, the 30-year-old Geordie which may be tasked with maintaining Marcus Rashford and Co quiet throughout TODAY'S Carabao Cup closing.
The little-known goalkeeper has been at his boyhood membership because the summer season of 2020, however you might be forgiven for having let his time at St James' Park move you by.
That is as a result of Gillespie hasn't really performed in a sport for the Toon since a penalty shoot-out win over Newport County two-and-half years in the past.
At numerous factors he has discovered himself caught behind the likes of Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow.
However with Pope suspended following his pink card towards Liverpool, Dubravka cup-tied after that includes within the competitors for Manchester United, and Darlow out on mortgage at Hull; Gillespie might lastly have an unlikely shot at glory together with his boyhood membership.
All that stands in his approach is blunder-ful former Liverpool keeper Loris Karius - finest identified for his Champions League closing errors towards Actual Madrid in 2018.
With many assuming that Karius would be the man to play, Eddie Howe made certain to namecheck Gillespie when requested in regards to the state of affairs yesterday.
He stated: "Nick is de facto upset, as we're for him. He has been magnificent for us.
"He doesn't need to miss the sport however it's what it's. Nick misjudged it and it hit his arm. I believe it was harsh and the referee may have given a yellow card.
"We've got Loris and Mark who've skilled rather well this season, Each are match. Behind the scenes, they play day by day. I've little doubt they're in situation to play the sport."
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However how precisely has Gillespie received thus far?
The Newcastle-born stopper joined the Magpies on the age of eight, however would transfer on to Carlisle aged 16 in 2008.
He broke into their first workforce in League One, earlier than turning into their undisputed No1 after relegation to League Two.
Gillespie loved his first particular League Cup moments whereas taking part in for Carlisle towards Tottenham as a 20-year-old in 2012 - incomes reward from Andre Villas-Boas and veteran stopper Carlo Cudicini.
Having made nice saves from Iago Falque and Ryan Mason throughout his facet's 3-0 defeat, Gillespie stated: "After the sport Carlo Cudicini stated ‘good luck’ to me, and I received his shirt, which was good of him.
"Their supervisor additionally stated effectively achieved and they're all nice position fashions to look as much as. You take a look at the standard that they had on show and you'll like to be taking part in towards that often. That’s what we've got to aspire to."
In 2017 he left Brunton Park for fellow League Two outfit Walsall, penning a two-year deal.
He misplaced his place mid-way by way of his first season, nevertheless, with Liam Roberts taking his place.
Gillespie was on the transfer once more in 2018, signing a two-year contract with Motherwell.
He went on to make 67 appearances for Effectively over two seasons regardless of having initially been No2, incomes his place as first selection stopper.
The 6ft 3in ace earned reward from former Fir Park stalwart Graeme Smith throughout his time north of the border, who stated forward of a conflict with Rangers: "From what I’ve seen of the keeper to date this season he has been actually spectacular.
"He makes large saves at large occasions in video games and that’s what Motherwell will want if they're going to get a consequence. He’s made a distinction and has been taking part in effectively."
Gillespie's transfer to Newcastle, initially as No3 goalkeeper, adopted in the summertime of 2020 - and early on he had some encouraging involvement.
He performed thrice within the League Cup throughout his first marketing campaign, deputising for the injured Dubravka and often making Steve Bruce's matchday squad.
However these alternatives quickly dried up, and Gillespie has solely even been named on the bench as soon as this season.
Regardless of that, Karius is the one man standing between him and a beginning berth at Wembley.
Since his blundering Champions League closing heartache practically 5 years in the past, issues have not gone swimmingly for the German.
The 29-year-old performed 67 occasions on mortgage over two seasons at Besiktas - conceding 95 objectives regardless of his workforce's standing as one of many greatest in Turkey.
He then performed simply 5 occasions for Union Berlin within the 2020-21 season, earlier than returning to Liverpool and never even being named of their squad final time period - finally leaving on a free to signal for Newcastle.
Karius is but to debut for the Toon, however will spend the following week battling with Gillespie to begin at Wembley subsequent weekend, hoping to shake off these cup closing cobwebs of 5 years in the past.
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