Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has been ruled out of action for around four months, adding to the Premier League club's already lengthy injury list.
Pope dislocated his shoulder during Newcastle's 1-0 win over Manchester United at the weekend with Martin Dubravka coming on for the final four minutes at St James' Park.
And manager Eddie Howe revealed on Tuesday that the England international will need an operation on the injury, becoming the latest key player to be ruled out of action for the Magpies.
The 31-year-old joins the likes of Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, Elliot Anderson, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes in the treatment room, while Sandro Tonali is suspended until next summer.
Pope dislocated the same shoulder while playing for Burnley in 2018, although the latest injury is in a different section of the shoulder. This will be of little consolation to Howe ahead of what is a frantic December schedule of domestic and European matches.
“There's no doubt he needs an operation so he will be out for a period of time, we think around four months,” said Howe ahead of Thursday's Premier League game away to Everton.
“He's had a couple of appointments, visited specialists. I am sort of awaiting final news on what is going to happen.
“The operation hasn't happened yet but we are thinking roughly around four months. So it is a big blow to us, but one that we expected after the game. As soon as you see the dislocation we were fearing the worst.”
There has already been speculation linking Newcastle with goalkeeping replacements, with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale and free agent David de Gea mentioned by UK media outlets.
But Howe insists there is no truth to the reports. “I've seen a lot of the media headlines and press speculation regarding goalkeepers and other players,” he added.
“We've not made any enquiries or decisions regarding our recruitment leading into January and I have said many times that is because 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.
Newcastle v Man United player ratings
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NEWCASTLE UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Had very little to do compared to his counterpart, but Pope was alert and cleared when needed. Unfortunately added his name to Eddie Howe’s lengthy injury list when he landed on his shoulder awkwardly in the closing stages. PA -
A constant threat with set pieces, Trippier made life challenging for Onana and was unlucky to see a superb free-kick effort hit the crossbar before half-time. Opened up United with his passes, and confident when dealing with Garnacho. Getty Images -
Should have capitalised on an early set piece but fell short as he headed over within the first 20 minutes, but the Magpies captain was reliable in defence as United looked for an equaliser. Getty Images -
The Swiss defender was everywhere on the pitch. Desperate for a goal, he enjoyed the freedom to surge forward into space in the first half and had several efforts on goal. Defensively, he crucially helped keep a clean sheet by clearing Reguilon’s effort on goal. Reuters -
Exciting on the left flank, Livramento tormented Rashford throughout, leading to the England forward’s early departure in the second half. Equally impressive in defence. PA -
Calm and composed, Miley continued to look at home in midfield alongside Bruno and Joelinton and was happy to press outside of possession. He’ll give Howe plenty to ponder when Sean Longstaff returns. PA -
Ever so reliable in Newcastle’s midfield, Guimaraes controlled the midfield and fed the ball to Trippier in the lead-up to Gordon’s opener. Earlier, he tried his luck with a curling effort from the outside of the box as Newcastle loaded the pressure on United. AFP -
Contributed defensively and kept busy in the middle of the park, but lacked any sting to a second-half shot. Booked. AFP -
Displayed bursts of energy when charging forward to assist attacks. Tested Onana with a low effort on goal, which lacked power, before a curling effort that went wide of the far post. AFP -
Missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring when his shot was deflected narrowly wide of the post. Happy to drop deeper to support play. Getty Images -
Rewarded for his patience when Trippier’s cross found Gordon at the far post, who tapped in a well-deserved goal for Newcastle. The winger is in exceptional form. Getty Images -
SUBS: (Pope 86’) Brought on for the closing stages, Dubravka thought he’d conceded an equaliser before an offside flag was given against Maguire. Getty Images -
(Gordon 90'+8) Late change for Newcastle. Getty Images -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Chants of "dodgy keeper" greeted him, yet he wasn’t as he saved from Almiron on 16. Beaten by Trippier’s free-kick but saved by the crossbar. Not at fault for the goal. No howlers, but questionable distribution. EPA -
Tough against the effective Gordon, but he was mostly up for it – though he was caught off guard as Gordon crept behind him to score the only goal at the back post. AFP -
Busy first half, when he did well to block a Guimaraes shot and deflect another away for a corner. Another block on 44. Booked in frustration. Offside when Antony put the ball in the net. Reuters -
Solid defending alongside Maguire as he stood his ground and was twice perfectly positioned to stop Newcastle going ahead. Reuters -
Played at left back. Early mix up with Onana. A right-footer who is nowhere near as effective as Shaw at left-back. AFP -
Excellent ball for Rashford in a United attack on 31 – one of the few bright moments from his side in the whole game. But played in a team that were miles off their opponents. EPA -
Only 30 touches, a very low figure for a central midfielder showing how Newcastle dominated. Getty Images -
Tenth-minute shot on goal and an early threat on the left. Then faded. PA -
Smart early pass to Garnacho. Hammered in tackles which went unpunished. One of the few who can be satisfied with their performance. Getty Images -
Awful on the right, losing the ball, throwing his arms around and not tracking back. First to come off with Martial. Body language does not emit contentment. EPA -
Preferred to Hojlund, but was poor. Didn’t track back, which saw his manager shouting at him. Subbed with Rashford. EPA -
SUBS: (Martial 61') Put himself about but almost no service. EPA -
(Rashford 61') Put the ball in the net on 88, but Maguire was offside. Booked. EPA -
(Mainoo 79') Steady as United pushed late on, but woeful ball back to take the impetus out of a 94th-minute attack. Getty Images -
(Wan-Bissaka 79') Struck a shot on target on 81. Getty Images
“Hopefully that picture looks different by the time January comes. This is a chance for the goalkeepers we have at the club to consolidate their positions.
“Martin is a high-class goalkeeper, he is a brilliant shot-stopper himself. He is very good with his feet and his distribution, so there's no hesitation in bringing him into the team.”
Striker Wilson, who has not played since losing away to Borussia Dortmund last month in the Champions League due to a hamstring problem but is thought to be closing in on a return to full training, admitted Pope's injury is a “massive loss”.
“When you have such a positive result on the pitch, the sad thing is that you have lost your number one goalkeeper,” Wilson said on the Footballers' Football podcast.
“He is going to be a massive loss, no matter how long he is out. In some matches this season, he has single-handedly kept us in games.
“When a team goes one-on-one he will pull off a 'worldie' save and we will end up winning the game. He is that difference you need sometimes at the back.
“But that is not to say our other goalkeepers can't step up now. It is their opportunity to shine and that is what football is all about.”
