Newcastle receive huge boost ahead of Carabao Cup final, Man Utd should be concerned

Newcastle have received a huge boost ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United with the news that several key players are set to be fit for the Wembley clash.

Newcastle take on United this Sunday in their first major final since 1999, with the Magpies hoping to end a 54-year wait for silverware.

Newcastle will be without first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope, who is suspended for the match after picking up a red card against Liverpool in the Premier League.

But there is more positive news for Eddie Howe around several other players who were injury doubts.

The Telegraph claim Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier and midfielder Joelinton have recovered from injuries in time for the match.

Joelinton and Trippier were taken off with problems in the second-half of their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

But sources have told the Telegraph that all the necessary scans have come back clear and they have trained as normal this week.

With Bruno Guimaraes now available after a three-game suspension and striker Callum Wilson also able to train this week after a hamstring injury, manager Eddie Howe will have all his key outfield players for the final at Wembley.

The only major concern for Howe is in the goalkeeping department, with Pope unavailable for the match.

Newcastle's second-choice goalkeeper Martin Dubvraka is cup-tied, having played in the same competition for United earlier this season.

It means Newcastle are expected to turn to former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius.

The German goalkeeper hasn't made a senior appearance for Newcastle since joining the club in September.

Howe puts his faith in Karius

Howe has challenged Karius "to rewrite the story of his career", which has been in sharp decline since his calamitous performance for Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final.

Karius was at fault for two goals as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1, prompting the Reds to sign Alisson as his replacement that summer.

"It would be a magnificent chance for him to rewrite the story of his career," Howe said.

"There's been loads of stories through the times in football where these things have happened and there's been a really positive outcome... or not. We can't predict what that will be.

"But as soon as it happened [Pope's red card] there was that feeling there’s another story in Karius's career – another page or chapter to write – and who knows what that chapter will look like.

"That's the beauty of football. This unpredictability is what makes it such an amazing thing to watch."