The Magpies make the trip to the capital, backed by over 32,500 supporters, for their first domestic cup final since 1999 and will be aiming to end a 54-year wait for a first major trophy since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

United will be without the services of goalkeeper Nick Pope this weekend, who received a straight red card in a 2-0 home defeat against Liverpool on Saturday, ending Newcastle's 17-game unbeaten Premier League streak.

With Martin Dúbravka cup-tied, after featuring in the competition for the Red Devils whilst on loan earlier this term, Howe could hand either a competitive Newcastle debut to German shot-stopper Loris Karius or Mark Gillespie, who last featured competitively for Newcastle's first-team in September 2020.

Howe spoke to the media at the Magpies' Benton training centre on Tuesday afternoon and here are some of the main talking points:

On Nick Pope, who will be suspended for the Carabao Cup final following his sending off against Liverpool:

"I'm feeling disappointed for Nick. That was my whole emotion after the game and yesterday. It was someone who has given his all for the team. He's been outstanding this year so I felt for him but (I'm) also pleased for another goalkeeper to get an opportunity.

"I think we have to be very positive about our situation and the game. Yes, it's a blow to lose Nick but we still believe in the team and the group we have."

On maintaining a positive mindset ahead of bidding to deliver a first domestic trophy since the FA Cup in 1955:

"I always believe in being positive and optimistic. I believe we can win any game in the Premier League against any team, home or away, if we're absolutely at our best and we've proved that this season when we have been.

"We've beaten some really good teams and been very consistent with our form. We believe the power is in our hands and it's up to us to perform at those best levels.

"I always believe that the history, from my side, is respected but we're trying to create new history with a new team at a new moment. We're determined to try and do that and create some great memories for our amazing supporters."

On conversations held with Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie, with the goalkeeping duo battling for a spot in-between the sticks at Wembley Stadium:

"That's exactly why you have a squad of goalkeepers and to have goalkeepers of Loris' and Mark's experience, where they've both played a lot of football in their careers, I have got no doubt of their match fitness because of the way that they train.

"I have had conversations with both players and they're in a good place. We work with a lot of rhythm and structure, anyway, so our work won't change. It'll just have different personnel in it but the work itself is very consistent and I believe in that from a defensive perspective.

"You have an idea of how you defend as a team and then, depending on personnel, you work the same way and this season, we've defended brilliantly. We go to work normally this week."

On Karius, whose last competitive fixture for an English club came during the 2018 Champions League final for Liverpool against Real Madrid in Kyiv:

"We've all got stuff that's happened in our careers and our histories that you learn from and I think he's no different in that respect.

"Since day one since he came here, he started where he hadn't had a lot of work before he joined us. He's trained with our goalkeeping coaches in a really good way and I think his general performances in training have improved as he's spent more time with us."

On being able to devote his full attention towards the highly-anticipated fixture after reaching the final of the competition three weeks ago:

"I'm pleased the game is here. I think it's been a difficult few weeks for us because the talk has been about it even though it's been two or three games down the line.

"As much as we've tried to focus on what lay ahead, naturally I think the more players I spoke to about different situations, it only be very much in your eye line so we want the game. We're desperate to play in it, do well and do the club proud.

"It's an intense week when you're building up to any game, yet alone a cup final because there's a lot of things you have to do that takes your time and energy. I'm excited by the training week - I love being on the training pitch with the players - and we'll try and get all our preparations right."

On the passion from the supporters within the city of Newcastle:

"From the people that I meet around the city and any interactions I have with supporters, whether that's at six o'clock in the morning outside the training ground or when I'm leaving, the passion here and support for their team is truly incredible.

"I think the players know the responsibilities that they have to go into a game like this and try to be the best that we can.

"When you get to this stage, I think they know the pressures they will face so it's a case from my position of trying to take them away and get to focus on the match itself."