Newcastle United's Mark Gillespie in frame for Carabao Cup final

The ex-Blues No1 is now a contender to play in next weekend's Wembley clash with Manchester United.

It follows first-choice Nick Pope's sending-off in Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool.

That rules Pope out through suspension - while second-choice keeper Martin Dubravka is cup-tied having played for Manchester United in the League cup during a loan spell this season.

That leaves Loris Karius and Newcastle-born Gillespie as Toon boss Eddie Howe's options for the Magpies' first major final since 1999.

Nick Pope, right, was sent off against Liverpool (Image: PA)

Gillespie joined his home-city club in the summer of 2020 and has made four appearances since then during a spell when he has understudied the Premier League club's front-line keepers.

If Howe gives ex-Liverpool man Karius the nod then Gillespie is a likely substitute in next Sunday's final.

Karius has yet to make a first-team appearance for Newcastle but his extra top-level experience from his time with Liverpool, plus loans with Besiktas and Union Berlin, could give him the advantage.

Loris Karius is the other main contender for the cup final berth (Image: PA)

If Gillespie is chosen, though, it would be a fairytale moment for the 30-year-old, who was on Newcastle's books as a youngster before joining Carlisle's youth system.

He went on to make 180 first-team appearances for the Blues from 2009-2017, before leaving for Walsall.

After a two-year spell at Motherwell, he completed a move back to Newcastle.

Gillespie pictured during his time at Carlisle (Image: PA)