Jon Dahl Tomasson grew up with English football so is well aware of the importance of the FA Cup, and counts missing out being involved in a Wembley final as one of the disappointing moments of his playing career.

The Dane won honours domestically and in Europe throughout his playing career, but his chance of helping Newcastle United to FA Cup glory didn’t materialise as he missed out on selection for the 1997/98 final.

That came during his one season at St James’ Park, moving on to Feyenoord soon after the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal which Tomasson had to watch from the stands.

He started the fourth round replay win over Stevenage, and fifth round win over Tranmere Rovers, as the Magpies avoided being on the receiving end of a lower-league shock, and was then on the bench for the quarter final and semi-final wins.

However, Tomasson wasn't in the matchday squad for the final, which Newcastle lost 2-0.

That didn’t dampen his enthusiasm however, stating: “It’s a brilliant cup, a massive cup.

“I was not playing in the final, we lost that to Arsenal, but I did play in a couple of rounds.

“You know about the importance of the cup in England, if you compare it to the other cup (Carabao Cup) where we had a great run, but there’s more prestige in this one.

“It’s something we’re looking forward to and hopefully we can get a good result.”

Tomasson watched the competition as a youngster, so knew the importance of the game in England, but also across Europe.

“I was there, but I wasn’t involved in the game, which was disappointing,” he recalled.

“Coming to a final, the journey of playing those knockout games, winning and losing, and then coming into that game, a massive game where everyone in England, and in Europe, and some places in the world, are watching, it’s tremendous.

“You’re playing for a trophy, and even though I didn’t play and left more or less just after that game for Feyenoord, it was a great experience.

“I grew up with English football every Saturday and the FA Cup final is a big thing.”

It wasn’t the only case of Tomasson missing out on a big final in his career.

In his first season with AC Milan in 2002/03 he got injured a week before the Champions League final which they went on to win on penalties against Juventus at Old Trafford.

Tomasson, who scored a 90th minute winner in the quarter final win over Ajax, said: “My biggest disappointment was not playing in the Champions League finals because I got injured a week before.

“I was sitting in the stand with my shoulder in a sling. That was a disappointment.”

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