Newcastle United’s injury crisis appears to be never-ending, and Eddie Howe has just received more terrible news.
The Magpies lost Sven Botman for up to nine months before the international break, while Lewis Miley could be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Then, on Saturday, additional injury woes overshadowed a spectacular 4-3 victory over West Ham United. Jamaal Lascelles suffered an ACL tear, while Tino Livramento injured his ankle.
Furthermore, Miguel Almiron had to be substituted minutes after entering the game due to a knee injury. Journalist Joel Bland has suggested that the 30-year-old could return within a month.
But while Almiron could be back before the 2023/24 Premier League season comes to an end, that does not appear to be the case for one of Newcastle’s long-term absentees.
Newcastle will now be without key player for the rest of the season
Newcastle United has been without its first-choice goalkeeper since the beginning of December. Martin Dubravka has been forced to play between the sticks after Nick Pope suffered a shoulder injury in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
It was a brutal blow at the time, and it has proven to be a far greater impediment than most could have predicted.
The Magpies have badly missed Pope, but there was hope that he would return before the end of the season. Eddie Howe recently stated that the 31-year-old would be back towards the end of April.
However, that may no longer be the case.
According to journalist Joel Bland, Pope is now going to miss the rest of the season. He has stated on X that the England international has suffered a setback and will not be fit for any of the Magpies’ remaining nine games.
More injury disappointment for Nick Pope
That is a significant blow, and it puts more pressure on Dubravka to step up. He appears to be lacking confidence right now, and his performance in the weekend’s 4-3 victory over West Ham was concerning.
Newcastle has suffered greatly as a result of Pope’s absence, and Pope has suffered similarly. It means he will undoubtedly miss Euro 2024, with England wanting to go all the way against Germany.
While Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon could make the Three Lions squad, Pope will not. That’s a huge shame.
Hopefully, Pope will be back in time for the start of pre-season, as Newcastle are set to look for a new goalkeeper this summer.
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