Ross Turnbull prepares for a first start of the season on Wednesday against the side he supported as a boy.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper grew up in Durham, and was a huge Newcastle United fan before turning professional with their local rivals Middlesbrough.
'A lot of my family were supporters too and we had season tickets when we were younger so I'll be looking forward to the game,' Turnbull said. 'Everyone likes to play against their boyhood team, so I'm looking forward to it.
'My hero was Alan Shearer up there, like everyone else! He was the legend, but they had some great keepers, Pavel Srnicek, Shaka Hislop and Shay Given so it was great to watch them.
'Family and friends have been asking if I'm playing and it's really something to anticipate. It's one I think I'll enjoy, and it's one we want to win, we want to progress in the competition and ultimately win it.'
We have a strong recent history in the Carling Cup with victories in 2005 and 2007, as well as a Final defeat to Tottenham in 2008, but we have been eliminated early in the past two seasons and it is something the squad wants to address.
In order to progress we will need to beat a Magpies side which has impressed since returning to the top flight this season.
'They seem to have done fine since they've been back up in the Premier League,' Turnbull assessed. 'I look for their results but my interest doesn't go much further than that anymore, and I'm sure they will have a good season.'
The goalkeeper's attentions have been more on his own game, and he is delighted to get the chance to impress at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with Petr Cech rested and Hilario injured.
'I am enjoying training, I work hard with the other goalkeepers and this is a chance for me to play so hopefully I can show people what I can do. Everyone wants to play football and it's a good chance for me to play well', he said.
'I'm not sure what the manager plans to do with the Carling Cup side, last year Big Pete was rested but whether that continues I don't know, it is his decision and I'll go along with it but from a personal point of view I'd obviously like to continue if we get through.'
The 25-year-old goalkeeper grew up in Durham, and was a huge Newcastle United fan before turning professional with their local rivals Middlesbrough.
'A lot of my family were supporters too and we had season tickets when we were younger so I'll be looking forward to the game,' Turnbull said. 'Everyone likes to play against their boyhood team, so I'm looking forward to it.
'My hero was Alan Shearer up there, like everyone else! He was the legend, but they had some great keepers, Pavel Srnicek, Shaka Hislop and Shay Given so it was great to watch them.
'Family and friends have been asking if I'm playing and it's really something to anticipate. It's one I think I'll enjoy, and it's one we want to win, we want to progress in the competition and ultimately win it.'
We have a strong recent history in the Carling Cup with victories in 2005 and 2007, as well as a Final defeat to Tottenham in 2008, but we have been eliminated early in the past two seasons and it is something the squad wants to address.
In order to progress we will need to beat a Magpies side which has impressed since returning to the top flight this season.
'They seem to have done fine since they've been back up in the Premier League,' Turnbull assessed. 'I look for their results but my interest doesn't go much further than that anymore, and I'm sure they will have a good season.'
The goalkeeper's attentions have been more on his own game, and he is delighted to get the chance to impress at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with Petr Cech rested and Hilario injured.
'I am enjoying training, I work hard with the other goalkeepers and this is a chance for me to play so hopefully I can show people what I can do. Everyone wants to play football and it's a good chance for me to play well', he said.
'I'm not sure what the manager plans to do with the Carling Cup side, last year Big Pete was rested but whether that continues I don't know, it is his decision and I'll go along with it but from a personal point of view I'd obviously like to continue if we get through.'
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