Newcastle will be without Nick Pope for the Carabao Cup final this Sunday after he picked up a red card last Saturday.
Eddie Howe is now forced to choose between Loris Karius or Mark Gillespie – both of whom are yet to play a competitive game this season – as Martin Dubravka is ineligible, due to the fact he is cup-tied.
Now – as detailed by The Athletic – supporters can find out what Howe did after Pope’s dismissal.
What’s the story?
Well, the 45-year-old was surely devastated after losing his No.1 for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Nevertheless, his first thought was to see how the England international’s replacement was feeling.
According to The Athletic, Howe decided to phone Karius after Pope’s red card in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, in an attempt to see how the German would feel about making his Newcastle debut in the most bizarre of circumstances.
It is said that Howe wanted to connect with the 29-year-old and gauge what sort of mindset he is currently in, due to the fact his last competitive appearance for an English side was that disastrous 2018 Champions League final for Liverpool.
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The Athletic believe Howe detected calmness from his third-choice glovesman, and came away from the call with a feeling that he is as ready as he can be for such a significant moment.
Nick Pope red card could wake Newcastle up
Of course, Howe would prefer to have Pope available against Manchester United – that goes without saying.
However, Newcastle have not been themselves in recent weeks as the Magpies find themselves three games without a win, which has seen them slip out of the Premier League top four.
Howe has overseen disappointing draws against Bournemouth and West Ham, while many would have expected better than a 2-0 defeat to an out of sorts Liverpool side.
Therefore, Pope being absent on Sunday could actually give Newcastle the wake up call they desperately need.
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