It's A Blow To Lose Nick Pope - Eddie Howe 

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is gutted by the fact that his first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope won't feature in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Pope is suspended for the League Cup final against Manchester United having picked up a straight red card against Liverpool on Saturday.

The England goalkeeper got dismissed for handling the ball outside the box in their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Addressing a news conference ahead of Sunday's showdown, Howe said: "I'm disappointed for Nick, but I'm also pleased another goalkeeper will get an opportunity. 

"We have to be positive about our situation and the game. 

"Yes it's a blow to lose Nick but we still believe in the team and the group we have."

Continuing, he added: "I'm very much of the mindset that I would like to see training and watch and observe the players before picking the team - that's my normal process. 

"Players always have an opportunity to change your mind and force you into a change of perception."

In Nick's absence, Howe has no other option than to rely on the Magpies third-choice Loris Karius.

The former Liverpool man is apparently in line to make his first senior appearance in two years at Wembley.

Second-choice goalie Martin Dubravka would have been Pope's replacement but he is not eligible for the Carabao Cup final because he made two appearances in the earlier rounds of the competition while on loan at United.

With Karius in goal, the Magpies will be hoping to clinch their first major trophy since the Inter Cities' Fairs Cup in 1969.