Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says Nick Pope could be fit for their clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

Victory will see Newcastle leapfrog United into the top four.

Howe said of his England keeper: "He felt a problem in his thigh after the Wolves game and didn't train in preparation for Forest; he completed that game with a bit of discomfort. He then train in Dubai this week so the signs are good."

The manager continued: “It's a massive month. Whenever you have intense period of games, you know those results will define what we do.

“The last two results put us in strong position but also lifted confidence levels and morale. There is a big week to come but Manchester United first so we have to focus on that alone.

"We need to learn our lessons from the cup final defeat and analyse that game and try to improve.

“The games at this stage get bigger and bigger because you are running out of opponents to correct yourself if you make a mistake. We're at home in front of our supporters. The last result was really positive [at Nottingham Forest]. It has been a long two weeks, we were keen to play again quite quickly.

“We felt we were good going into [the cup final]. We were as positive as we could be. We had a good rhythm. Maybe the two previous results before this one will help us. I'm really pleased with how we've trained.

“You have to move on very quickly. I don't think I ever get over a defeat, every one you have is in there somewhere. But I tend not to dwell on it because it's history and you have to move on."