Newcastle United are eyeing Nick Pope’s situation at Premier League rivals Burnley with Rafa Benitez’s goalkeeping plans uncertain.
When Tom Heaton suffered a disclosed shoulder and was ruled out for a number of months during Burnley’s 1-0 win against Crystal Palace back in early September, fans were understandably worried.
Heaton had evolved into one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and looked key to the Clarets’ hopes of avoiding a relegation battle. Five months on, however, the one-time Manchester United youngster is yet to return, but Sean Dyche’s Burnley are still seventh in the table.
And Heaton is not the only Burnley keeper in contention for England’s World Cup squad.
That is how impressive Nick Pope has been over the last half a year. No wonder Newcastle United are keeping a close eye on developments ahead of Heaton’s imminent return to first-team duty, as reported by The Mirror.
As it stands, it is uncertain what Newcastle’s goalkeeping will be next season. Martin Dubravka is only on loan from Sparta Prague and it remains to be seen whether Rafa Benitez deems England U20 star Freddie Woodman, who is currently on loan at Aberdeen, ready for first-team duty.
Though with so many on Twitter now staking their claim that Pope should be in the England squad, perhaps even Gareth Southgate’s number one, Newcastle should not need any more encouragement to put their plan into action.
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