Newcastle Confidential CUP FINAL SPECIAL: The perfect fanzone site with Trafalgar Square off-limits, huge Sven Botman update, which Wembley end Toon will take, parade plans, emergency transport ...and how Dan Burn celebrated beating Arsenal!

There was no champagne or post-match party following the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Arsenal on Wednesday - but Confidential can reveal that Dan Burn DID perform his dance for team-mates and staff!. The Geordie defender first let loose with his now famous routine following a 2-0 win over Leicester in the quarter-final of the same competition two years ago, in which he scored his first goal for the club. I’m told the squad returned to the dressing room after Wednesday’s 2-0 victory and Eddie Howe addressed the players as he usually does.

It was then that Newcastle’s stars and backroom staff urged Burn to take to the floor, which he duly did to much laughter and applause. There was also the customary team celebration picture which, on the say-so of Howe, they did not take after the first leg win at the Emirates Stadium. Meanwhile, the music played in the dressing-room was very appropriate - Change This Pain For Ecstasy by Rex the Dog!.

After 70 years of hurt since the club’s last domestic trophy, there certainly would be a feeling of ecstasy were Howe and his team to bring home the cup next month. But while the players did not party, some of the hierarchy certainly did. Chief executive Darren Eales and chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone were spotted in The Stack with co-owner Jamie Reuben, toasting the win long into the night.

Dan Burn's famous dance - which he repeated in the dressing room after the win over Arsenal. The defender was egged on by his team-mates, who also took their customary team photo. Eddie Howe had insisted that there was no team photo until after the second leg at Arsenal. DELAYED PARADE?. But on the subject of bringing home the cup, I’m told there is a strong possibility that plans for a victory parade will be delayed until the end of the season.

It may feel like tempting fate, but the club will have to make a decision before the final, given logistics and the involvement of the local authorities and emergency services. However, because the game is immediately followed by an international break, the possibility of players missing out, sources say, is likely to mean a homecoming procession would be delayed. The only option available to Newcastle would be to make plans for a Monday parade in the city, but that would also need conversations in advance with various national FAs.

Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall will likely be joining up with England at St George’s Park ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge against Albania on Friday, March 21. Newcastle fans flooded Wembley Stadium in 2023 for the League Cup final against Man United. Any potential parade would likely have to be held at the end of the season to allow all players to take part. But it is the availability of captain Bruno Guimaraes that will present the biggest headache, given he has a key World Cup qualifier for Brazil against Colombia in Brasilia on Thursday, March 20.

Unless, of course, the open-top bus runs from St James’ Park to Newcastle Airport and Bruno is sent on his way by 100,000 Geordies!. Newcastle are aware of the situation and discussions are ongoing. ST JAMES’ TO THE RESCUE?. It was not the news I wanted to reveal at Mail Sport on Thursday, that Newcastle supporters will NOT be able to gather in Trafalgar Square on the eve of the final. The landmark location in central London will be closed on Saturday March 15 to allow for set up ahead of the city’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Sunday March 16, the day of the game.

It will mean fans needing to organise a mass meet-up in a different area, and the nearby Covent Garden and the streets around it have been suggested as one likely alternative. Newcastle fans took over Trafalgar Square last time, but the plaza will be closed this year. The square will be shut for St Patrick's Day preparations in London. But there is also (and this makes perfect sense for one obvious reason) St James’ Park!.

That is just down the road from Trafalgar Square and is an open green space with plenty of room, as well as a nice view of Buckingham Palace. It is a shame, though, because nothing comes close to the vast space of Trafalgar Square and its iconic setting. The square will be open for six hours on the day of the game, with live music and parades from 12pm to 6pm, but the much-anticipated Saturday night festivities will not be possible.

BOTMAN RELIEF. Sven Botman has NOT suffered a serious recurrence of his knee injury and should be fine for Newcastle’s next Premier League fixture at Manchester City. There was concern on Wednesday night when Eddie Howe revealed the defender was forced off with a knee issue in the 80th minute against Arsenal. Sven Botman was forced off against Arsenal with a knee issue but it is not a serious injury. Having only just returned from a 10-month ACL layoff in January, the news was met with apprehension by supporters.