Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes that Newcastle keeper Nick Pope should play in the Carabao Cup final.

Pope was sent off for a deliberate hand ball outside the penalty area against Liverpool in the Premier League.

As per long standing rules, he misses the next domestic game, which is the cup final against Manchester United on Sunday.

However, Hackett has called for an unprecedented delay of Pope's suspension to enable him to play in the game, despite his straight red in his last appearance.

He tweeted: “Football can be very cruel and sadly because of a few seconds of almost doing something naturally Nick Pope misses a final.

“The referee was correct to dismiss Pope. The authorities should delay the sanction to enable Pope to play. There I have said it."