Newcastle United star in line for shock recall as fresh injury blow confirmed hours ahead of Bournemouth clash
Newcastle United team news: Matthias Jaissle is facing a fresh goalkeeper decision ahead of today’s Premier League clash with AFC Bournemouth.
Nick Pope could be handed a surprise recall to Newcastle United’s matchday squad for the first time under Matthias Jaissle after failing to secure a summer transfer exit.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper was made available to leave Newcastle all summer, but the club were ultimately unable to find a buyer. Since Jaissle’s appointment as head coach and the signing of Lukas Hornicek from Braga, Pope has failed to feature in any matchday squad.
But now the English transfer window is shut, Pope could be recalled to the bench against Bournemouth at St James’ Park this Saturday (12:30pm kick-off). This is due to second-choice goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen suffering a training-ground ankle injury on the eve of the match.
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The Gazette understands the French goalkeeper, who joined Newcastle from Stade de Reims in June, is set for an MRI scan ahead of the Bournemouth match. But the injury is not thought to be serious, and it is hoped the 20-year-old will recover in time to potentially start against Millwall in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
With most major transfer windows closed, with the exception of the Saudi Pro League, Pope will likely remain on Tyneside until at least January.
“There are a couple of countries where there are still options that players can move to, but also we are really clear in our conversations,” Jaissle said on Thursday, while the Saudi, Scottish, Turkish and Portuguese windows remained open.
“I had a clear conversation with Nick already a couple of weeks ago about his position here in the club, and to make a move that's not only a club decision; it's also a decision of the player, often also from an agent. So there are many, many parts involved usually in deals, so we need to see.
“But for now he's a member of the squad, and I mentioned that already also in a press conference, that I really appreciate him and what he did for the club already, and how he's dealing with the situation right now.”
Pope has been included in Newcastle’s Premier League squad list and is eligible to play when called upon. But for a player who looked to have played his last game for the club, his potential return to matchday involvement so soon comes as a surprise.