EDDIE HOWE has backed Loris Karius to step into Newcastle United’s goalkeeping breach and handle the pressure of making his Magpies debut in next weekend’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

With Nick Pope suspended following his sending off in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, Martin Dubravka cup-tied after playing for Manchester United in the early rounds of this season’s League Cup and Karl Darlow unable to be recalled from his loan spell at Hull City, Karius finds himself almost certain to start in Newcastle’s first appearance in a major final for 24 years.

It is a remarkable turn of events for the 29-year-old, who joined the Magpies as a free agent in September and whose last appearance for anyone came when he lined up for Union Berlin in a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim in February 2021.

Karius’ last game for an English club was the 2018 Champions League final in which he committed two calamitous errors to concede goals to Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, but later claimed to have been concussed following a collision with Sergio Ramos.

Sunday’s game gives him an unexpected opportunity to rewrite his reputation, and while he has not even been part of Newcastle’s matchday squad since he was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace in early November, Howe is confident he will not be found wanting at Wembley.

“I’ve been really impressed with Loris,” said the Newcastle head coach. “You see him from the outside and he’s a really likeable character, very laidback and relaxed, but in his training, he’s focused. As I’ve said many times, Nick’s form has been a combination of things. Ultimately, it’s down to Nick, but in the training, the people around him have supported him, and Loris has been key to that.

“He’s been excellent behind the scenes, as has Mark (Gillespie, who is likely to be Newcastle’s substitute goalkeeper on Sunday), and that’s what you have a goalkeeping team for. It’s not something we wanted for Nick because he’s been outstanding, and we wanted him to play in the game, but now it’s time for someone else to stand up.”

Newcastle initially signed Karius to plug a gap when Darlow was injured, with Howe claiming the German’s big-game experience made him stand out within the small pool of free agents who were being considered.

“We were looking at a very limited pool of goalkeepers, but he was the name that immediately stood out,” he said. “We were looking at out-of-contract goalkeepers who were free and available, but I don’t think we could have picked a better one. He comes with a wealth of experience, and he’s used to these games, he’s accustomed to them. Yes, he hasn’t had competitive action for a long time, but he’s fit and ready to play.”

Karius also has the backing of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who was the manager who released him in the wake of his Champions League nightmare.

“I heard about that (Karius’ Wembley chance),” said Klopp, in the wake of Saturday’s game. “He’s a great goalie, that’s why Newcastle signed him, although of course it’s unlucky for Nick Pope.

"This is what he (Karius) has been working for, definitely, all the time. Absolutely.”