Newcastle United are in the middle of a busy run of fixtures and they’ve been handed another blow.
Newcastle’s win at Ipswich was the cake topper to end a fantastic week for Toon boss Eddie Howe who guided his side to a second Carabao Cup semi-final in three seasons and up to eighth in the Premier League table.
It’s now 17 goals in the last six games for Newcastle, a sign that they are back to their best in front of goal after trouble finding the net in the early stages of the campaign.
Howe should be pleased with performances at the other end of the pitch as well with Martin Dubravka replacing the injured Nick Pope for wins against Leicester, Brentford and most recently Newcastle’s win against Ipswich.
Dubravka could leave Newcastle in January with clubs in the Saudi Pro League interested in him with the 35-year-old’s contract expiring in the summer.
In the midst of the links, Howe provided an update on Pope’s recovery.
Newcastle Goalkeepers and Staff seen L-R Loris Karius, Newcastle United Goalkeeping coach Adam Bartlett, Martin Dúbravka, Nick Pope and Mark Gilles...
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
No concrete return date for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope
Howe spoke ahead of Newcastle’s game against Aston Villa on Monday which was aired on the club’s website.
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He was asked to give a fitness update on players including Pope. The 32-year-old has been absent from Newcastle’s recent matchday squads after suffering a knee ligament injury.
“Nick is doing okay,” Howe said.
“He was given a timeframe initially where he had to rest, and he’s had a couple of injections in his knee and is feeling better. He’s feeling strong, but quite when he’ll be fit is a difficult one to give a definitive date on.”
Pope’s injury comes in the busiest time of the season but Howe’s words suggest that he could now be out for longer.
Martin Dubravka’s performances give Nick Pope competition
This season Dubravka has only conceded one goal in all competitions, a late consolation goal from Yoane Wissa in the Carabao Cup.
The Slovakian international has kept three clean sheets this season including one in Newcastle’s 4-0 win against Leicester and is just one shy of equaling Pope’s total despite playing 13 fewer games.
Howe has expressed his desire to keep Dubravka at Newcastle despite the interest from the Saudi Pro League.
On the keeper, Howe said: “We wouldn’t want to lose the goalkeeper playing for us currently, that wouldn’t make sense”.
His fine form allows Pope to come back at his own pace and ensure he will be fully fit when he is ready but it’s clear that his performances need to improve once he’s back. The England international is averaging 1.20 goals conceded a game and has already let in 18 goals this season.
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