Longstaff's start against Birmingham City was his first since November
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
15:28, 16 Feb 2026
Sean Longstaff is congratulated by teammates after his winning penalty kick
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Sean Longstaff is congratulated by teammates after his winning penalty kick(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Sean Longstaff says he understands why he is struggling to get into Leeds United’s starting XI following his return from injury last month.
The summer signing began his first match since November in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round win over Birmingham City, in which he played 120 minutes and tucked home the winning kick during the penalty shoot-out.
Longstaff had been sidelined for more than a month with a calf injury before making his return to the matchday squad against Manchester United in early January, although his return to the pitch did not come until the FA Cup third round win over Derby County on January 11.
“I have been chomping at the bit really to get back in but I'm having to be patient because we are playing well at the minute and picking up good results,” he told club media after his spot-kick conversion on Sunday. “So all I can do is try and work as hard as I can every day and wait for an opportunity.
“Not just me, there are a lot of lads in there who are obviously chomping at the bit to play. The competition is really good and as long as we can push each other to be a better football team, that is all that matters.”
Longstaff was one of a number of players who had been lacking match minutes going into the game, which inevitably fed into an underwhelming showing. With United second-best for large parts of the game, the midfielder acknowledged how difficult Birmingham City made their afternoon.
He added: “Obviously, today was a tough game, probably not one where you are going to be on the ball and showing everything you can do but it probably shows a different side to everyone’s game.
“I thought it was great character from everyone not to get rattled by that [Birmingham's 89th-minute goal] and ultimately when the big moment came I thought we were excellent. I think it was a game you never really feel fully in control.
“I thought they played really well and we found it difficult in spells but we stuck together and the togetherness was there and the sort of never-say-die attitude in terms of fighting for each other.
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“Whether it was mistakes or whatever happened, we sort of had each other’s back and that is only going to be good for the group going forward.
“We have got some massive games to obviously stay in the Premier League and this was sort of a good way to build momentum and keep momentum going into them.”
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