'Serious': Eddie Howe now gives update after £10m player went off injured in last night's PL win

 · December 3 2023, 09:46
'Serious': Eddie Howe now gives update after £10m player went off injured in last night's PL win
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Newcastle United's rotten luck continues as they picked up another injury last night in the game against Manchester United.

Nick Pope left the pitch in visible discomfort on 85 minutes after falling awkwardly on his shoulder diving to make a save. To add insult to injury it ended up being a save he didn't need to make as Fabian Schar flung a leg towards the shot and cleared the ball before it got through to the 'keeper.

Pope stayed on the ground frantically trying to get the referee's attention while Manchester United played on.

Pope's injury looked bad as soon as it happened

It immediately looked like a dislocated shoulder, something the £10million signing from Burnley has had to deal with before, and after the game Eddie Howe confirmed it.

Nick Pope
PA
Pope shuffles off the St James' Park turf in visible pain

Speaking to NUFC TV after the game, Eddie Howe confirmed the dislocation but couldn't give any estimate as to how bad the injury was.

"It looks like a shoulder dislocation which is a serious injury, and of course it's very difficult as a goalkeeper to have any problems with your arms. So we will wait for a specialist opinion and see what the next step is."

Martin Dubravka will now fill the gap left by Pope

Martin Dubravka stepped in to replace Pope last night and will more than likely be Eddie Howe's choice between the sticks while Pope recovers.

Dubravka has made 135 appearances for Newcastle and has always been a reliable stopper so it's not the end of the world, however, it does once again take another player off the bench for Newcastle who had been using goalkeepers to keep the bench full.

Surely this run of injuries, and not just normal injuries, but freak occurrences, has to come to an end soon, and players who are currently out must be nearing returns as well. That January transfer window can't come soon enough.

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