Former Man Utd and Newcastle striker Owen makes "heartbreaking" Carabao Cup final claim

Michael Owen has expressed his sympathy for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope after he was ruled of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.

Newcastle take on United at Wembley on Sunday in their first major final since 1999.

But Pope won't feature in the match after picking up a straight red card in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League.

Pope was sent off after handling the ball outside of his area, a moment of madness which left referee Anthony Taylor no choice but to send off the England international.

He will now serve a one-match suspension, which rules him out of Sunday's final.

It also leaves Newcastle manager Eddie Howe short on options in the goalkeeping department, with their No 2 Martin Dubvraka cup-tied.

With third-choice shot-stopper Karl Darlow currently on loan at Championship club Hull City, it is likely that former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius will make his first senior appearance for Newcastle in the final at Wembley.

Owen: It's heartbreaking for Pope

Former England international striker Owen, who played for both United and Newcastle during his playing career, says it is "heartbreaking" that Pope won't be able to feature in the match.

"Don't care who you support, you've got to feel sick for Nick Pope," tweeted Owen.

"Missing next weekend's final, Newcastle's biggest game in years, is heartbreaking."

Meanwhile, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes it is unfair that Pope is suspended for the match.

"Football can be very cruel and sadly because of a few seconds of almost doing something naturally Nick Pope Newcastle GK misses a final," tweeted Hackett.

"The referee was correct to dismiss Pope.

"The authorities should delay the sanction to enable Pope to play. There I have said it."

His comments echo those of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who said Pope "does not deserve" to miss the final despite his red card.

"Nick's very disappointed, he's been magnificent this season and he doesn't deserve to miss next week's game," said Howe after the Liverpool defeat.

"I think it's harsh, it was a slippy surface and the ball hit his arm; the referee could have given him a yellow card. Nick's visibly upset.

"But I was really pleased with the way we responded to going down to 10 men."