Nick Pope admits England uncertainty after Newcastle United penalty heroics v Crystal Palace

After the match at St James’s Park finished goalless after 90 minutes, Pope played a key role in helping Newcastle secure their place in the last-16 as he denied Luka Milivojevic, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Malcolm Ebiowei from 12-yards in the shootout.

Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier and Joelinton converted for The Magpies to ensure they progressed as 3-2 winners on penalties.

Following the match, Pope said: "From our point of view we are just happy to get through. A bit of an ugly game, not many chances either side really and a difficult game to play in.

"Palace have always been a difficult team to play against as we found in the league a few weeks ago. It was another difficult one.

"Before the game we spoke about finding a way and yeah luckily we found that way."

A League Cup club record attendance of 51,660 packed into St James’s Park on Wednesday night to witness the club’s first ever home penalty shootout win. It also sets up a fourth round tie on the week commencing Monday, December 19.

"I think any goalkeeper will tell you that it is no bad thing winning a shoot out,” Pope added. "You see the optimism around the club, selling out a third round cup tie.

"The way the team is playing at the moment it was important for us to carry our momentum forward and have the next round to look forward to.

"We wanted to be in the hat. We look at last night at an important game but we are happy to be through."

Pope’s impressive display came less than 16 hours before the announcement of England’s 26-man World Cup squad for Qatar. And the goalkeeper revealed that he still hasn’t been told of his place.

"I'm not sure,” Pope admitted. "If I remember correctly last time it was a short time, say half an hour before the actual squad announcement.

"You find out individually not the whole squad. Wait and see I suppose."