Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Willock said: "It's definitely been tough. When you have a good family around you, team-mates who are like your family and a manager you can speak to about anything, it makes it so much easier.
"The day after, we had the meeting in his [Eddie Howe's] office straight away. He gave me comfort and we spoke about it. This is why I have so much respect for the manager and team.
"I want to give everything for this badge because they have helped me through the hardest of times."
Gossip: Tonali's agent plays down Serie A returnpublished at 07:56 10 February
07:56 10 February
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali's agent has played down the chances of the Italy international returning to play in Serie A because of the costs involved in buying the 24-year-old. (Calciomercato, via Newcastle Chronicle), external
'You could see a few players were on the edge'published at 20:21 8 February
20:21 8 February
Image source, Getty Images
Eddie Howe spoke to BBC One after victory against Birmingham: "It was a tough game for us. Mentally, physically – you could see a few players were on the edge today. We're delighted to get through.
"I thought it was going to be a difficult night before the game. [The early goal] made it doubly difficult because the atmosphere in the stadium totally changed. We managed to get a foothold and did really well. At half-time it was about staying calm. I thought we did that a lot better in the second half."
On injuries: "In the last couple of weeks we seem to have picked up a couple. It would be the last thing [we need] to derail us. We have such a small squad. Last season we had big numbers of players out and it disrupted us in the middle of the season.
"We were forced to take Dan Burn off. It was something with his groin. Fingers crossed it's not too bad."
Newcastle have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2004-05 (semi-finalists) / 2005-06 (quarter-finalists).
Sutton's predictions: Birmingham v Newcastle published at 09:02 8 February
09:02 8 February
There were raucous scenes at St James' Park on Wednesday night after Newcastle had beaten Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
What a brilliant result over two legs against the Gunners, and why wouldn't Magpies fans want more of the same in the FA Cup as well?
They want to end their long wait for a trophy and they will head for St Andrew's on a high.
I do wonder if Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will rest one or two of his key men, because his side are going for a top-four finish in the Premier League too.
But if I were him I would not be resting anyone against a Birmingham side who are in fantastic form at the top of League One.
I am a big fan of Birmingham boss Chris Davies, who spent time working with Brendan Rogers at a few clubs, including Celtic, but has stepped up as a manager himself. I always admire people who do that.
Davies has signed a few players from north of the border for the Blues, and also spent more than £10m on Jay Stansfield from Fulham in August.
That is a bit of clout for a League One club to have, but Birmingham wanted to go straight back up after being relegated last season, and it looks like it will pay off.
This is a shot to nothing for them against Newcastle, and I think they will give them a good game - but I am going with Newcastle to come out on top.
When is the FA Cup fifth-round draw?published at 08:11 8 February
08:11 8 February
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The fifth-round draw will take place during Monday's episode of The One Show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Former England winger Theo Walcott, who won the trophy twice while with Arsenal, will conduct the draw at about 19:10 GMT.
There are 16 Premier League teams left in the draw, with Leicester having been beaten by Manchester United on Friday, and Arsenal, Brentford and West Ham exiting in the third round.
How to stop Isak - Clarkpublished at 16:47 7 February
16:47 7 February
Media caption,
Former Birmingham manager and ex-Newcastle captain Lee Clark tells The Football News Show that Birmingham City should not focus on trying to stop top scorer Alexander Isak in their FA Cup fourth-round tie on Saturday.
Instead, they have to prioritise stopping the supply line to the Sweden striker.
Birmingham v Newcastle: Did you know?published at 14:53 7 February
14:53 7 February
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Birmingham City have won just one of their past 15 meetings with Newcastle United in all competitions, a 5-1 away win in an FA Cup third-round replay in 2007.
Newcastle United have progressed from two of their three FA Cup ties against Birmingham City, though all three have required a replay, most recently in the third round of the 2016-17 season.
Howe on Botman, Wilson and a 'different' cup final approachpublished at 10:41 7 February
10:41 7 February
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game at Birmingham City (kick-off 17:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
After Sven Botman was substituted off in Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal, Howe provided an update on his fitness: "He has taken a knock on his knee. I don't believe it is a serious injury, but it's enough to keep him out of this weekend. We will assess him next week for our next Premier League game."
He hinted at some squad rotation for Saturday's FA Cup match: "It would be a difficult ask for the same players to go again, physically and mentally. We will give opportunities to other players, but they will have to take their chance."
Howe spoke highly of Saturday's opponents: "We know it will be a difficult game. Birmingham's league form has been very strong and they have only lost once at home [this season] to a Premier League team. It's going to be a good test for us."
On Callum Wilson's return from injury: "He seems fine. He is very confident about his body and has gone through recovery slightly differently this time. He has done a lot of work for this moment and he feels robust. In his eyes, he feels ready to start games. Fingers crossed his body responds in a positive way."
Emil Krafth is another player who returned to action and Howe confirmed that "talks are ongoing" to extend his contract, which is set to expire in the summer.
He says that he will approach this year's EFL Cup final differently from the defeat in 2023: "I was more superstitious as a player - as a manager I tend to look at things slightly differently. I've become a lot more free in myself. I've got to get the players in the best condition and let fate do the rest of the work."
After not making any first-team signings in January, Howe was asked about the youngsters brought to the club last month: "Making stars is something that the club has had a vision to do since I arrived. The guys in the other building [the academy] can really help develop and flourish [players] and nurture them into the first team."
He added: "With PSR, I think we are probably more weighted in that direction. If you can bring one or two gems through then it can have a massive difference and help try and achieve everything we want to here. It is a mix of both [established players and young players]"
'The city will stop for us' - Guimaraespublished at 12:28 6 February
12:28 6 February
Bruno Guimaraes says ending Newcastle's 70 year wait for a domestic trophy would be "massive for everyone".
Guimaraes joined from Lyon in January 2022 as one of the first major signings after the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of the club in late 2021 and was named Eddie Howe's captain at the start of this season.
The Magpies reached their second Carabao Cup final in three years on Wednesday with a convincing 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal.
"Unbelievable. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn't think about it, in my first season as captain to lift a trophy for this club for the first time in a long long time," Guimaraes said when asked what it would mean to win silverware post-match.
"Wow. It would be massive. When I signed for the club, I always said I wanted to put my name in the history books and tonight is another big step. Let's see. But I'm very happy.
"There's no pressure for us, no pressure. I've been here for three years and this is my second final. There's no pressure. I'm very happy and hopeful. If we can win, the city will stop for us. It would be a massive."
Guimaraes was visibly tearful after Newcastle lost the 2023 Carabao Cup final to Manchester United but believes he and his team have learned from that experience.
"Everyone knows how emotional I am," he added.
"I like to win, I always want to win, so when I lose, that's normal.
"But this time, I'm feeling very confident, hopefully we can go there and this time win, which would be massive for everyone.
"We're more used to it. A second time in three years is very good for the team. It's something we're getting used to and we're hopeful we can win this one.
"It would be amazing for the owners, for the team, for the fans, for everyone in the city."
'The gaffer deserves all the credit' - Gordon on Howepublished at 09:21 6 February
09:21 6 February
Image source, Getty Images
Anthony Gordon says Eddie Howe's altered game plan "worked to perfection" and "the gaffer deserves all of the credit" after reaching the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle's performance against Arsenal was aggressive, with Fabian Schar leading a front-footed back three alongside Sven Botman and Dan Burn.
"We felt good coming into the game because of the result in the first-leg, but we knew that the first goal was going to be massive," Gordon told BBC Radio Newcastle. "If they had scored first, then the game would have become more intense, I imagine.
"Everyone knows that we don't change too much and that we like to press, but the gaffer altered it slightly and it worked to perfection. They struggled with us on the counter-attack because they couldn't really pick me or Murph [Jacob Murphy] up.
"Alex [Isak} just does what he does and is always a threat. The gaffer deserves all of the credit."
On what the scenes at the final whistle meant to him as Newcastle sealed a return to Wembley, Gordon said: "I have been here for some big moments, like in the Champions League, but that at full-time was probably my best moment here so far.
"It was also probably the biggest game of my career and now it will be my first game at Wembley at club level, so it is really exciting.
"I live for the big moments in the big games because it does bring the best out of me."
'Arsenal simply couldn't handle us' - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:19 6 February
08:19 6 February
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Newcastle United sealed their spot in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Here are some of your comments:
Tom: An outstanding performance from Newcastle United. Tactically excellent and extremely streetwise. The front three were outstanding but it was a complete team performance. Brilliant support from the fans - and what an atmosphere! It was totally deserved and a 4-0 aggregate win against Arsenal is not bad at all. Let's use the experience of two years ago and win this time. No reason it can't be done.
Yusuf: Brilliant performance from the Magpies. They were such a threat against Arsenal in the first and the second legs. Let's see who Newcastle face in the final - it's set to be entertaining.
Cam: Wow, what a win! I wasn't expecting such a positive performance from such a negative formation. Newcastle were fantastic and a pleasure to watch.
Dave: You have to give massive credit to Eddie Howe and his team. Their tactics for both games were spot on. Every Newcastle player put in a shift and played very well. We were the better team in both legs and Arsenal simply couldn't handle us.
Graham: A fantastic display. Before the match, I was really sceptical about playing five at the back; however I must my eat humble pie (which is much tastier with a 4-0 win over two legs)!
Mike: We are showing teams that we can fight for trophies.
Image source, Getty Images
