Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe hopes to have Nick Pope available before the end of the season but is unsure when that might be.
The Magpies’ goalkeeper has been out of action since the beginning of December after requiring surgery on the shoulder he dislocated during the 1-0 win at home to Manchester United.
With Callum Wilson – who has missed the last two months with a pectoral muscle injury – set to return to the matchday squad for tonight’s Premier League fixture away to Crystal Palace (kick-off 8pm), Howe is hopeful of welcoming back more players in the weeks to come.
Pushing for a comeback during the final six games are Pope, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, although Howe is unable to provide a “definite date”.
He said: “We hope all four of those players could play but it is difficult to put a definite date on that because none are training with the ground at the moment. We’ll have to see how they look when they do come back.”
Pope is among the players who have undergone some individual training of late. Not only is the 32-year-old looking to claim back the jersey from Martin Dubravka, he also has aspirations of being called up to England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Pressed further on Pope’s possible return date, Howe replied: “It’s difficult for me to answer as he’s not training with us at the moment. He’s in the final stages of his work with the physios and the goalkeeping coaches in a controlled way.
When he comes back training with us everything is uncontrolled and that’s the next step for him.. We are running out of time this season because the games will go very, very quickly for him. But he’s looking good.
“When a goalkeeper gets that sort of injury there are psychological barriers you need to overcome because it’s such an important part of your body. He has to feel normal in his reflexes and his actions but he’s looking a lot better.”
Newcastle – without Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles for the remainder of the campaign – are pushing to secure European qualification.
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