Newcastle United fans think they've found a loophole that would allow Nick Pope to play in the Carabao Cup final

Newcastle United fans think they've unearthed a loophole that would allow Nick Pope to play in Sunday's Carabao Cup final, they haven't.

Pope was on the receiving end of one of the easiest red cards to hand out in the history of the Premier League, as Newcastle lost to Liverpool on Saturday evening.

The goalkeeper, who has been in fine form this season, came sprinting out of the penalty box in order to head clear a long ball that Mohamed Salah threatened to get on the end of.

Newcastle's number one missed a very optimistic header and then reached out his arm to grab the ball, stopping Salah having what would have been an empty net to slot into.

It means he's suspended for one game and, unfortunately for him, the team's next game is their first major final since 1999, when they take on Manchester United in the Carabao Cup at Wembley.

Gary Lineker bizarrely called for the former Burnley number one to be allowed to play, for seemingly no reason other than he feels sorry for Pope, as did a former referee.

And now Newcastle fans are hopeful they've found a loophole in order to make sure it happens, though it feels a little far fetched.

"Blyth [Spartans] play tomorrow and Saturday," a fan took to social media to say, "Rearrange a fixture for Wednesday night. Senior keepers all get muscle strains.

"Nick Pope on an emergency loan. Serves his 3 match suspension. Terminate the loan Saturday night. Job done."

The fan was then explained that it was just a one match, and he returned to add, "I’ve learned from the replies it’s just a 1 match ban and Blyth can still sign players so no need for emergency loan. Let’s get this done."

UPDATE: I’ve learned from the replies it’s just a 1 match ban and Blyth can still sign players so no need for emergency loan. Let’s get this done @NUFC #PopeToBlyth

— Toon Polls (@ToonPolls) February 20, 2023

Blyth play in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, and are based just 15 miles away from St James' Park.

They play Bradford Park Avenue on Monday night and AFC Telford on Saturday, so Pope could 'serve' his suspension during either of those games.

Of course, it's definitely not going to happen and Newcastle fans, along with Lineker, just have to accept that Loris Karius is likely to be in goal.

The keeper's last appearance for an English team was during the 2018 Champions League final, when he made two huge errors as Liverpool lost to Real Madrid. He also hasn't played a competitive fixture in two years.

They would play Martin Dubravka of course, but he was on loan at Old Trafford earlier in the season, and is cup tied, having played in the last 16.

Ironically that appearance, against Burnley, means Dubravka would pick up a winner's medal, only if his current team's opponents on Sunday win the trophy.