FA statement confirms Newcastle United star blocked from playing for England as double blow clarified
England have confirmed changes to the squad following injuries to Newcastle United duo Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope.
Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope were both forced to withdraw from the England squad after picking up injuries while playing for Newcastle United.
Gordon was forced off in the first half of Newcastle’s 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club last week with a hip injury that ultimately kept him out of the trip to Brentford.
Pope then suffered a concussion during the 3-1 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium despite initially playing on after an awkward fall.
Providing an update on his players after the Brentford defeat, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “Nick Pope suffered a concussion and that's why we took him off. As soon as we were made aware of that, then he was withdrawn.
“Anthony has a minor injury, so he'll miss England. [Pope] won’t go away. It’s 12 days [concussion protocol].”
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FA statement confirms NUFC change
Confirming Howe’s comments after Brentford, an FA statement provided an update on the England squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. England have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup but will be looking to continue their perfect qualifying record under Thomas Tuchel.
The statement read: “Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah and Manchester City’s James Trafford have been added to the England squad.
This follows the withdrawal of Newcastle United duo Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope through injury and concussion respectively.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi has reported for international duty and will continue to be assessed in the coming days.
The Three Lions squad are based at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground as they prepare for Thursday’s visit of Serbia to Wembley followed by Sunday’s final qualifier away to Albania.”
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Dan Burn, who was sent off against Brentford, is now Newcastle’s only representative in the England squad. He will miss Newcastle’s match against Manchester City after the international break due to suspension.
Pope’s last England call-up came in October 2024, with his last appearance coming over three years ago against Germany in September 2022. Now he has been replaced in the squad by Trafford, whom Newcastle tried to sign from Burnley as a potential long-term replacement for their current No. 1.
Instead, Trafford rejoined Manchester City and Newcastle signed Aaron Ramsdale instead.
NUFC trio come under scrutiny
Burn, Gordon and Pope have all face criticism at Newcastle United this season following an inconsistent start to the campaign and poor Premier League form.
Burn’s move to left-back in the absence of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento has seen him come under scrutiny which came to a head with his red card and conceded penalty against Brentford. But the defender has impressed for the most part this season having scored a remarkable header in Newcastle’s 2-0 Champions League win against Athletic Club last week.
Gordon has impressed in the Champions League with four goals and an assist in four matches but is yet to contribute a goal or an assist in the Premier League since January.