Newcastle custodian Nick Pope will be out for “around four months” with a shoulder injury, according to boss Eddie Howe, as his list of absentees grew longer.
Pope, who required surgery on the same left shoulder when playing for Burnley in 2018, sustained a dislocation while diving during last weekend’s 1-0 Premier League victory against Manchester United.
He joins Newcastle’s long injury list, which has forced Howe to make few substitutes in recent games, with numerous youth-team players on the bench.
“There’s no doubt he needs an operation, so he will be out for a period of time, we think around four months,” Howe said ahead of Thursday’s league encounter at Everton.
“It’s the same shoulder (as the injury in 2018), but it’s a different part of the shoulder.” There was no reason for that to occur.”
According to media sources, Newcastle is interested in both out-of-favour Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and free agency former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
However, Howe was quick to dismiss talk of bringing in a short-term successor in January.
“I’ve seen a lot of the media headlines and press speculation regarding goalkeepers and other players,” Howe told reporters.
“We have not made any enquiries or decisions regarding our recruitment leading into January, and I have stated many times that this is because if we were to recruit now, we would most likely be recruiting in every position on the pitch due to injuries throughout the squad.”
“Hopefully that picture looks different by the time January comes.”
Martin Dubravka of Slovakia came on as a late substitution for Pope against Manchester United and will most likely start at Goodison Park.
He was loaned out to Manchester United last season, however he only played two Premier League games for Newcastle after being returned from United in January.
“We have complete faith in Martin. “I’ve always had a high regard for him,” Howe remarked.
“Martin is a world-class goalkeeper who is also a brilliant shot-stopper.”
“He is very good with his feet and his distribution, so there’s no hesitation in bringing Martin into the team and I hope he does really well.”
Despite their injury troubles, Newcastle have won their previous two league games, either side of a 1-1 Champions League draw at Paris Saint-Germain.
But Howe wants his team to improve away from home following only one win in six Premier League games this season.
“I’m excited for the game.” We’ll need to improve our away form as we travel to Tottenham next.”
Newcastle are now sixth in the league, three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.