Newcastle hopeful Nick Pope will not be ruled out for five months

12/04/2023 Soccer

Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope set to undergo scans on a dislocated shoulder and could require surgery… but the Magpies are optimistic he will not be out for longer than five months

  • Nick Pope is facing a long injury lay-off after suffering a dislocated shoulder
  • Pope is set to undergo scans and could be forced to have surgery on the injury 
  • We expected perfection from VAR – we haven’t got it: Listen to It’s All Kicking Off

Nick Pope is set to have scans over the next 48 hours after suffering a recurrence of a dislocated shoulder injury in Newcastle’s victory over Manchester United.

Pope is facing a lengthy lay-off, with an operation currently considered the most likely course of action, after he was forced off late on at St James’s Park with a repeat of a problem he had while at Burnley.

Goalkeeper Pope did not play for just over five months on that previous occasion between July 2018 and January 2019.

But, while he is set for an extended spell out, Newcastle are hopeful his absence this time will not be quite as long and he will be back before the end of the season.

Still his injury will be a major blow for Eddie Howe and Newcastle with Pope a key part of their success since his £10m arrival from Burnley in June 2022.

Nick Pope was the latest addition to Newcastle’s injury crisis after suffering a shoulder injury

Pope required medical assistance after trying to block a shot from a corner in the 82nd minute of their match against Man United

Pope has suffered from a dislocated shoulder before and Newcastle expect him to not be out for as long as before

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Martin Dubravka came on to replace Pope against Manchester United, where he had a brief loan spell last season.

Dubravka helped Newcastle preserve their 1-0 lead as they secured a deserved victory against the side from Old Trafford.

Newcastle also have Loris Karius, who faced Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final last season, and Mark Gillespie though he has yet to play a league game since returning to the club in 2020.

And the seriousness of Pope’s injury could force Newcastle to enter the transfer market to reinforce their goalkeeping department.

It comes as another blow for for Howe’s side, with the England shot stopper joining their growing injury list which includes Elliot Anderson, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy – who also notably suffered a dislocated shoulder earlier this season. 

After the match, Howe said: ‘It’s a massive blow for us if Nick is going to be out for any length of time,’ the English manager said. 

‘It’s usually the way, it looks innocuous but they also look the most serious at times. 

‘He looked in distress there. I think he’s dislocated his shoulder just diving. The arm kept going and looks like we could lose him.’

Speaking on his replacement, Dubravka, the Newcastle manager added: ‘I have to compliment Martin because he’s come on with 10 minutes to go and that’s not nice for a goalkeeper to do that. I thought he did really well.’ 

Pope could undergo surgery on the issue, with scans in the next two days set to reveal the extent of the injury 

It comes amid an injury crisis at St James’ Park with Pope the latest addition to Eddie Howe’s growing list of injuries

Martin Dubravka (R) came on to replace Pope and could now replace Howe’s first-choice keeper in net, with the Magpies also able to call on fellow reserve goalkeeper Loris Karius, 

Pope’s injury comes after he recently spoke of his desire to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad. 

‘I’ve got to make it impossible for Gareth to leave me out in the future. It’s down to me. I’ve not had any conversations (with Southgate) to be honest,’ he said.

‘He’s got a lot of players to look after and other things on his mind, he can’t always be focused on individual players who aren’t in the squad.

‘It’s just motivation to do better. I don’t look anywhere else other than myself in the mirror. I want to be back in the England squad, I want to be going to a major tournament at the end of the season. I’m not in the squad, but that’s down to myself. That’s the way I look at it.’

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