Eddie Howe has his dressing room wish as modest Newcastle star tries to deflect well deserved praise; Sean Longstaff tried to deflect praise onto his team-mates after an impressive run of form for Newcastle United.

Byline: By, Aaron Stokes

As Sean Longstaff took his seat in front of a packed St James' Park media room, a big smile adorned his face and stayed there for the following 15 minutes. It's no wonder either.

A player who has both supported and represented this club for the majority of his life, now one of the spokespeople for the Magpies as they seek to put one foot in the Champions League knockout stage by beating Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening. Longstaff, quizzed on what it meant to him to be in this position, seemed unequivocally grateful for the opportunity.

"Being sat here doing a press conference before a Champions League game seemed impossible two years ago," Longstaff remarked early in the press conference. "To be in this position now is a real privilege.

It's a competition I've watched since I was a little kid, to finally be playing in it is something I am trying to take in my stride.

But Longstaff is not someone simply making up the numbers in this Newcastle side with their new-found success. He is thriving, and improving, each and every week. His importance is now unquestionable.

Longstaff missed the opening games of the season as he attempted to shake off injury issues. Since his return, Newcastle have gone seven consecutive matches unbeaten. It's no coincidence.

However, there was nothing but modesty when this statistic was put to Longstaff on Tuesday. Despite his undeniable standing in this Newcastle team of late, the 25-year-old tried to play down his role and suggest he has simply been lucky. Eddie Howe has always said he wants the right type of character in his dressing room and he...

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