Newcastle United have been dealt a significant setback just hours before their Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, with first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope ruled out for three weeks.
Key player sidelined until after Christmas
The club confirmed on Tuesday that Pope sustained a groin injury in training last Friday, forcing him to miss the 4-1 victory at Everton. Subsequent assessments have revealed the England international will be unavailable for a crucial period, missing up to six matches.
Manager Eddie Howe expressed his disappointment, stating the team "can't afford to lose any player." He explained the incident occurred when Pope was wrong-footed during a shooting drill at the end of a session. The goalkeeper is now awaiting a scan to determine the full extent of the damage.
Ramsdale steps into the spotlight
Pope's absence paves the way for summer signing Aaron Ramsdale to start in goal. The former Arsenal goalkeeper, who joined on a season-long loan from Southampton, has made only four appearances for the Magpies so far.
His return to the starting lineup comes against a familiar foe in Tottenham. Ramsdale has history with Spurs fans from his North London derby days, notably being involved in an incident where a supporter entered the pitch and confronted him after a match in 2023.
Fixture crunch adds to pressure
The timing of Pope's injury is far from ideal for Newcastle. His three-week layoff means he will miss a packed schedule of fixtures, including:
- The Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.
- League games against Burnley, Sunderland, and Chelsea.
- A Champions League encounter with Bayer Leverkusen.
- A Carabao Cup tie against Fulham.
This injury blow for Newcastle conversely offers a boost to Tottenham and their under-pressure manager Thomas Frank. Spurs arrive at St James' Park having won just one of their last seven games in all competitions, following a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Fulham.
Newcastle have already beaten Tottenham at home this season, securing a 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup at the end of October. A similar result tonight could intensify the scrutiny on Frank's position.
