KIERAN Trippier is in quite a unique position when it comes to assessing the man who will guard the net for Newcastle United in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

For not only does Trippier watch Loris Karius in training every day, but he also came through the ranks with the young German keeper at Manchester City.

And while Trippier admits it’s a “massive” blow for Newcastle to be without Nick Pope against Manchester United, the England international also knows that Pope’s replacement is more than capable.

Karius was an in-demand 16-year-old when he was signed by Manchester City in 2011 after impressing for Stuttgart’s youth team. He returned to Germany three years later having never played a first team game for City, but a young Trippier, a teammate at the time, was impressed.

"I've known Loz since Man City. I've known him since I was 15, 16,” said Trippier.

"We were in the youth set-up together then we got moved up for the reserves.

“He was a bit more advanced than I was at that time. He was more with the first team training every day with them.”

Karius hasn’t played a competitive game for two years but Trippier has echoed the thoughts of head coach Eddie Howe in insisting the keeper will be ready for Sunday’s final.

The defender said: “He is a very good goalkeeper. He's aggressive, he's confident and he's trained well since he's been here. He has not played games, but he will be ready if called upon - make no mistake about that.

“Loz has had a good career. You don't play that many games for Liverpool and play in cup finals if you're not a good goalkeeper. He was at Besiktas as well. He's here now so if he's playing, we have just got to support him. That's what teammates are there for."

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Karius had a nightmare 2018 Champions League final for Liverpool against Real Madrid, with boss Howe urging the keeper to “rewrite the story of his career”. Trippier spoke to Karius in the aftermath of that final, but says that game is not something that’s in the mind of Newcastle’s players as they prepare for Sunday.

He said: "I knew him well enough from the youth set-up, but we didn't speak for a couple of years. I saw him on holiday in Spain but he had the right support around him then.

“We shouldn't be thinking about that. It was five years ago. That's gone now. He's a Newcastle player so everybody has got to get behind him if he is selected to perform at a high level, which I know he is capable of."

Even though he’s been ruled out through suspension after his Liverpool sending off, Trippier says first choice keeper Pope will still play a key role in the build-up to the final.

He said: “Popey has been one of our best players this season. He's going to be a big miss but he's the type of character who will be there for the boys. Even he has big experience in international football as well so he can help the players. Whoever is called upon in that position will be ready."