Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has opened up about his hand injury after undergoing surgery this week.
Pope is going to miss Newcastle‘s final game of the season against Chelsea, with Martin Dubravka set to take his place. However, Pope is expected to be fit in time for pre-season.
The 31-year-old has been an ever present in the Premier League this season, and was crucial in securing Champions League qualification. He was particularly influential on Monday night, making a sublime late save to stop Leicester snatching victory.
That ensured Newcastle got the point they needed to end the season in the top four.
While the Magpies’ final league position is not guaranteed, the main goal of Champions League football has been achieved. The decision has therefore been made for Pope to undergo surgery, bringing an early end to his season.
Nick Pope has been playing with an injury for Newcastle
The England international has spoke to BBC Newcastle about the surgery, and shed some light on how long he has been suffering with a hand injury.
“I’ve had it for a couple of months,” he said.
“It’s something that has been lingering and lingering. It was nice to get it sorted, everything went really well, so all positive steps.”
A chance for someone else to impress against Chelsea
Eddie Howe will have had plenty players playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks, one of which has been Pope. You would not have been able to tell from his performances, as he has been consistently brilliant.
It has been a sensational debut year for the £10million goalkeeper, but now someone else is going to get a chance to impress.
It looks certain to be Dubravka, who has not started a Premier League game since the final game of last season. That was a 2-1 win away to Burnley – where his opposite number on that day was actually Pope.
Since then, the Slovakian has had a failed loan spell at Manchester United before returning to Tyneside. The 34-year-old has been back on the Newcastle bench acting as understudy to Pope, making one appearance off the bench when Howe’s first choice saw red against Liverpool.
Dubravka did well on that day, and fans will trust him to do a good job at Chelsea as well. He is a reliable goalkeeper, and it will be good to see him get the chance to remind supporters of his talents in between the sticks.