Craig Hope gives update on likely Nick Pope return date with Newcastle United set to sell goalkeeper this month

Who'd have thought that with so many goalkeepers on Newcastle United's books, Eddie Howe would be panicking about having cover for that position heading into the New Year.

Nick Pope picked up another injury during the 4-2 defeat against Brentford which was said to rule him out of action for six weeks.

Despite having just forked out £20 million on Greek international goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in the summer, Eddie Howe stuck with Martin Dubravka as Pope's deputy and duly promoted the Slovakian to first-choice in Pope's absence.

This season has seen that move yield much more positive results with Dubravka only conceding two goals in six games between the sticks.

Martin Dubravka is rumoured to be heading to Saudi after the Arsenal game

However, the 35-year-old's time at Newcastle could be coming to an end, with a move to Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia on the cards this month.

Eddie Howe has said he'd rather not sell Dubravka while he's first choice, but also admits that the decision lies with the player and at 35, with his contract coming to an end in the summer, it also makes good business sense.

That being said, Howe has insisted that Dubravka can't be sold without assurances that Nick Pope is returning to fitness soon.

Surely Eddie Howe can live with having to field Odysseas Vlachodimos for two games

Journalist Craig Hope has now suggested that Pope's return date could be the 18th of this month in time to face Bournemouth.

With rumours suggesting that Dubravka could depart this week, that would leave Eddie Howe with the FA Cup tie against Bromley and the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers to get through without his two first-choice goalkeepers.

You'd like to think there wouldn't be much of a panic around Bromley so Odysseas could step in for that game, and then maybe get a shot at the Premier League against Wolves before Nick Pope makes his return - if all goes to plan.