Nick Pope out for four months in latest Newcastle United injury blow

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 Havery 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