EDDIE Howe insists he has "no doubts" that Loris Karius can rise to the challenge and handle the Wembley occasion as the Newcastle United boss prepares for the Carabao Cup final without his first, second or third choice goalkeepers.

Howe confirmed that Newcastle opted against appealing Nick Pope's red card against Liverpool, which ruled the England keeper out of this Sunday's Wembley showcase against Manchester United.

Howe spoke to Pope in the aftermath of Saturday's Liverpool defeat and has revealed that while his first choice goalkeeper was naturally disappointed, his immediate response was to ask his head coach how he can help whoever it is who gets the gloves for the final.

With Martin Dubravka cup-tied and Karl Darlow on loan at Hull City, Karius looks likely to get the nod over Mark Gillespie, but the former Liverpool goalkeeper hasn't played a competitive game for two years and suffered a disastrous night in his last major final for an English final side, in Liverpool's Champions League defeat to Liverpool in 2018.

But Howe insists Karius is physically and mentally ready.

"In my experience Loris has been very calm, passionate about his work, passionate about goalkeeping, wants to do well, but he has that calmness and confidence that gives you a lot of belief that he'll be fine," said Newcastle's head coach.

"Those experiences can only help him in this moment. His character is a big strength in pre-game and build up to the match."

Howe insists Karius's lack of competitive football isn't a major issue.

He said: "It's not as much (of an issue) as it would be an outfield player. If it was an outfield player you'd have doubts about their physical performance and whether they can last the game. As a goalkeeper, skills are totally different. They have had games. They've had a lot of training games, they've involved in everything. They just haven't had the crowd in front of them, which I understand is preferable if they had, but they haven't.

"But Loris has incredible experience. I have no doubts he'll handle the occasion."

"They're two goalkeepers (Karius and Gillespie) that have been part of our unit all year. They train every day with the two coaches.

"They've been excellent this year. Their attitude to everything they've done has been very very good. I know the focus from the media will be on them expecting some sort of big reaction but it's just work as normal to get ready for the game."

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While relaxed about Newcastle's goalkeeper situation ahead of the final, Howe admits he's bitterly disappointed for Pope, who has been an integral figure for the Magpies in their run to the final - starring in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace.

Howe said: "I spoke to him Saturday night. He's disappointed, he's trying to process it all, but he's so level headed and team orientated. His initial thought wasn't with himself, it was with the team and what he needed to do to help whoever was playing,

"He's an incredible personality, and I hope he gets another chance soon to play in a high profile game like this.

"This situation is something you can't predict. Popey has been an ever present, it's just incredible how football throws up these scenarios. It's bad luck for Nick and a bit of bad luck for us because we're going to miss a goalkeeper who's done brilliantly for us this season.

"You have a set of circumstances that lead to our situation which is unique to football, really. These stories only crop up in this game, it's bizarre how these things work. That's the situation we're faced with, we can do nothing about it.

"But we believe that the two goalkeepers we have, who are hugely experienced, are ready to play and we back the players we've got."