Newcastle keeper Nick Pope is facing roughly four months on the sidelines as he prepares to undergo shoulder surgery.
The England international dislocated his left shoulder during Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Man United and head coach Eddie Howe is resigned to losing him for most of the remainder of the season.
‘We anticipate he’ll be operated on,’ the Magpies manager said. ‘There’s no doubt he needs an operation – so he will be out for a period of time, we think around four months.
Earlier this week, Mail Sport revealed that the Magpies are considering a shock move for free agent David de Gea as a potential replacement.
Howe has, however, played down these rumours, insisting: ‘We really believe in Martin Dubravka — I’ve always had that high opinion of him. Martin is a high class goalkeeper.’
The Newcastle keeper dislocated his left shoulder during their 1-0 win over Manchester United
Pope can be seen with his arm in a sling as he leaves a restaurant in Cheshire on Monday
Asked about his keeper’s injury, Howe added: ‘It’s a big blow to us, but one we expected after the game as soon as you saw the dislocation. We were fearing the worst really.
‘I think he’d been in the best form since he’s been at the football club… naturally, he’s down at the state of the season where we have so many games, huge games coming up.
‘He’s obviously got the Euros ahead of him, which he’s still got a chance of getting in, but I think his main determination is coming back for us.
‘It was another strange injury for us. There was no reason for that to happen in that moment… but his dive was slightly different and unfortunately we suffer another injury to a huge player.’
Free agent David de Gea has been rumoured to be a replacement for Pope at Newcastle
With Pope set to be out injured for a lengthy spell, Martin Dubravka will have his opportunity
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