Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Nick Pope, is set to face an extended spell on the sidelines, with manager Eddie Howe confirming that the player will be out for “around four months” due to a shoulder injury. This setback adds to Newcastle’s growing list of absent players, posing a challenge for the team.
Pope, who previously underwent surgery on his left shoulder in 2018 during his tenure at Burnley, sustained a dislocation during the recent 1-0 Premier League triumph over Manchester United. Consequently, he will join the ranks of sidelined Newcastle players, leading to limited tactical options for Howe, who has had to resort to fielding several youth-team members on the bench in recent matches.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Thursday’s league fixture against Everton, Howe confirmed, “There’s no doubt he needs an operation, so he will be out for a period of time; we think around four months. It’s the same shoulder (as in the 2018 injury), but a different part of the shoulder. There was no reason for that happening.”
Furthermore, media reports have hinted at Newcastle’s potential interest in acquiring the services of Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale or former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who is currently a free agent. However, Howe sought to downplay speculations of a short-term recruit in January, emphasizing the club’s comprehensive injury concerns and the need for potential reinforcements across various positions on the pitch.
“We’ve not made any enquiries or decisions regarding our recruitment leading into January, and I have said many times that if we were to recruit now, we would probably be recruiting in every position on the pitch because we have injuries everywhere throughout the squad,” Howe stated. “Hopefully that picture looks different by the time January comes.”
In the absence of Pope, Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is expected to assume the starting role, having previously been loaned to Manchester United last season before making a return to Newcastle. Howe expressed his confidence in Dubravka, asserting, “We really believe in Martin. I have always had that high opinion of him. Martin is a high-class goalkeeper; he is a brilliant shot-stopper himself.”
Newcastle’s recent form has seen them secure victory in their last two league matches, alongside a commendable 1-1 draw in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, despite grappling with significant injury setbacks. However, Howe has highlighted the need for improvement in their away performances, particularly after registering just one win in six Premier League away games this season.
As Newcastle currently sits sixth in the Premier League table, a mere three points adrift from fourth-placed Aston Villa, Howe emphasized the importance of enhancing their performance on the road. “I’m looking forward to the game. We’re going to Tottenham next; we’ll need to work on our away form.”
In light of Newcastle’s persistent injury challenges, the quest for sustained success remains a focal point for the team as they navigate the demanding Premier League campaign.
[date of publication]
