Nick Pope forced into shoulder surgery which will keep him out for four months

Nick Pope will have to undergo surgery on the shoulder he dislocated in Newcastle’s win over Manchester United, likely to keep him out of action for around four months.

The 31-year-old suffered the injury late in the game at St James’ Park and was clearly in a lot of pain as a result, replaced by Martin Dubravka.

Tests were carried out on Monday to see whether he would need surgery and it has been decided that he will indeed go in for an operation, according to The Athletic.

The surgery will mean the England international will be out for most of the rest of the season, facing four months on the sidelines, which would see him pushing for a return to fitness in April.

Dubravka is in line to replace Pope in Eddie Howe’s first team, with Loris Karius currently third choice and likely to step up to sit on the bench.

However, the Magpies are being linked with signing a new goalkeeper in January to fill the void left by Pope, clearly concerned by the drop-off to their other options.

David De Gea is still without a club after leaving Manchester United over the summer so is available on a free transfer.

Aaron Ramsdale has also been linked with a move to St James’ Park from Arsenal after losing his place in the first team to summer loan signing David Raya.

The England international wants regular football again as he hopes to make it into Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 in the summer, something that Pope will now find it very difficult to do as he is unlikely to play very much football at all between now and the tournament.