Nick Pope is back at the training ground and was pictured along with Newcastle stoppers Mark Gillespie and youngster Ewen Jaouen.
Graeme Jones, Mark Gillespie and Nick Pope
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Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope has returned to the KNOX for pre-season training - despite stories linking him with Ipswich Town this summer.
Chronicle Live understands that while Ipswich were looking at goalkeepers, there was never any official approach for Pope, and Leeds have also yet to make any type of enquiry for the 34-year-old.
Pope was pictured alongside colleagues Mark Gillespie and Ewen Jaouen as the summer break passed without him winning a move.
The reality is Newcastle will not stand in the England international's way if he gets an offer, but by the same token, the sale wouldn't be sanctioned without a new stopper coming in.
It has been well documented that Newcastle are looking at Man City's James Trafford with the Three Lions' back-up man, while Parma's Zion Suzuki has also been discussed behind the scenes.
But Pope has started work for the 2026/27 season with Newcastle and began building his relationship with 6ft 6in French youngster Jaouen, who was pictured wearing No 24. As things stand, the pair will do battle for the gloves in the early part of the season and Jaouen is delighted to be on Tyneside after checking in two weeks early.
Jaouen told the club channel: "I am happy to be back on the pitch and happy to have the Newcastle kit on me and wearing the jersey feels good. I am happy it is on me.
"I have a lot of faces and names to remember, but it is nice to see so many nice people here, we can feel we are in a good club.
"The goalkeeper team is really nice. It is only the first day but I feel that we are really strong together."
Pope recovered from being dropped last season after a clanger against Everton in the Premier League defeat on Tyneside. But he got a vote of confidence after the club didn't take up the offer to sign Aaron Ramsdale with the Southampton man returned to his parent club.
Pope now goes into the last year of his contract at Newcastle but with another goalkeeping arrival expected, things could change quickly if a club can be found for the star.
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