Martin Dubravka could be awarded a Carabao Cup winner’s medal this weekend despite being unable to play in the clash – and remarkably, the goalkeeper could do so regardless of who wins.

The final, which kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon, will see Newcastle and Manchester United go toe-to-toe at Wembley Stadium with the first major domestic trophy of the season up for grabs.

Newcastle are hoping to secure a first major trophy since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 – though they were crowned Championship winners as recently as 2017, having also won the Intertoto Cup in 2006.

They will have to do so without first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope, however, following the inexplicable red card he received in the disappointing defeat to Liverpool over the weekend.

They will also have to do so without second-choice keeper Dubravka, with former Liverpool man Loris Karius expected to make his debut in his place. That won’t necessarily stop Dubravka from claiming a winner’s medal, however, regardless of which team wins.

Why is Dubravka unable to play?

Newcastle would typically turn to Dubravka in a game Pope was unavailable for, but manager Eddie Howe will be unable to do so on Sunday afternoon.

That’s because the keeper is cup-tied, having played in the competition twice already for Manchester United earlier in the season.

The goalkeeper joined United on a season-long loan in the summer, but he would only play two games for the Red Devils before being recalled by Newcastle in January.

The 34-year-old played in both the third and fourth rounds of the Carabao Cup, where United beat Aston Villa and Burnley 4-2 and 2-0 respectively.

Dubravka was then unaware he was helping United on their way to the final, where they would eventually meet his parent club in a game he would otherwise be set to feature in.

How can Dubravka still get a winner’s medal?

Though Dubravka can’t feature in the match, he could still be handed a winner’s medal – and by either side.

Carabao Cup rules state that the winning club will receive 30 medals, and it’s up to them to determine who these go to.

It’s up to the club to decide whether they go to those in the matchday squad, those who have previously played in the competition, or those who simply play for the club – while the coaching staff are also included in the 30.

Essentially, no player or staff member is guaranteed a medal. And importantly, having played twice in the competition for United, and now being a valued member of the Newcastle squad, Dubravka could indeed be given the nod by either side.

Taking a common sense approach to this, however, and those who play in the final – and indeed many of the staff involved – will certainly be handed a medal. Meanwhile, both United and Newcastle have used 25 players in the competition this season.

Of course, Dubravka hasn’t played a single minute for Newcastle in the competition. And while Dubravka has played more minutes than many of the 25 at Manchester United, it seems unlikely he would be given a medal having now left the club. In truth, it seems unlikely either side will hand him a medal.

Yet, it’s worth pointing out that, similarly to the winner, the losing side will get 30 runners-up medals – and, once again, Dubravka could technically receive one.

Is anyone else hoping for an unexpected medal?

Newcastle have a further three players who could be in line for a medal, being Jonjo Shelvey, Chris Wood and goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

All three players have featured in the Carabao Cup this season but no longer play for Newcastle.

Shelvey, who now plays for Nottingham Forest, played twice for the Toon in the competition, being in the wins over Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

Wood, who is also at Forset, scored in the second round of the competition, while featuring in both rounds three and four.

Darlow, who is now on loan at Hull City, played the full 90 minutes in the second-round win over Tranmere.