Eddie Howe has provided an update on the decision surrounding Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale at Newcastle United.
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Nick Pope is a doubt for Newcastle United’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night (8:15pm kick-off) due to injury.
The goalkeeper picked up a groin injury in training on Friday and missed the 4-1 win at Everton as a result. It came amid increased scrutiny over Pope’s place in the side and calls from supporters for Aaron Ramsdale to come into the side.
Ramsdale made his full Premier League debut for Newcastle as the side secure a first away win in the league since April.
The goalkeeper could keep his place in the side on Tuesday night given the uncertainty over Pope’s fitness.
Eddie Howe on NUFC’s goalkeeper situation
When asked for an update on Pope in Monday’s pre-match press conference, Howe said: “No further update from Saturday.
“Again, he's probably one of a number of players that we'll analyse early this week and then try and get a proper diagnosis.”
On Ramsdale, Howe said: “I guess he was in a good mood afterwards. I didn't really see him actually, to be honest due to media duties but I’m sure he felt good returning back to Newcastle as we all did after the game.
“There's that feeling that we haven't had very often away from home, where you've done a good job, you've completed your objective and then you're focusing on the next game in a positive way. So, he can be very pleased.
“It's a really good start for him. I'm sure he's in a good place.”
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But the Newcastle boss was keen to praise Pope as he faces a big decision once the goalkeeper is back available. Pope was voted into Newcastle’s leadership group earlier in the season, joining Bruno Guimaraes, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Nick,” he added. “Since I’ve worked with him he’d been outstanding, not just as a goalkeeper because you see the product, but as a person, the character he is.
“He’s a really humorous lad, he’s vibrant and brings good energy to the group and the players see that and respect him immensely. You can see that by the fact they voted him into the leadership group as a mark of the character he is behind the scenes so his goalkeeping is second to none.
“His shot-stopping is the best I’ve ever worked with and we need him back.”
NUFC decision taken out of Eddie Howe’s hands
What was shaping up to be the most scrutinised team selection decision of the season was ultimately taken out of Howe’s hands by the news of Pope’s injury. And Howe remained tight-lipped after the Everton game as to what decision he would have made had both goalkeepers been available.
“It doesn't feel like that [decision is made for you] when you're me,” Howe explained. “I'm just making a decision like I do every week. Of course, every decision is a big decision,and that's how I look at it.
“I don't look at it as any one decision is bigger than the other. So, this dramatic showdown of decisions,that's not the reality. I was disappointed for Nick that he picked up the injury when he did, and disappointed for us, because we need him.”