'No doubt' - Fresh Newcastle United surgery blow confirmed as 'rough' return date set

Nick Pope is set for surgery following a dislocated shoulder picked up during Newcastle United's 1-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday.

The 31-year-old is set for an extended spell on the sidelines but Eddie Howe is hopeful of seeing the goalkeeper back in action before the end of the 2023-24 season. The goalkeeper adds to The Magpies' already lengthy injury list.

Explaining the injury, Howe said: "He's had a couple of appointments visiting specialists. I'm awaiting final news on what will happen.

"We anticipate he will be operated on, there is no doubt he needs an operation. The period of [recovery for] that will be roughly four months."

Four months out will sideline Pope until April 2024. Martin Dubravka is set to step-up into the side in Pope's absence.

"We really believe in Martin," Howe admitted. "I've always had that high opinion of him. We brought in Nick for the competition."

Pope suffered a serious injury blow to the same shoulder during his time at Burnley which sidelined him for an extended period. But Howe claims it is not a repeat injury.

"Same shoulder different part of the shoulder," Howe added. "The old injury is fine. There was no reason for that happening, it's just an unfortunate set of circumstances leading to that happening."

Howe is also hoping to welcome some players back from injury in the coming matches with Sean Longstaff, Sven Botman and Joe Willock understood to be close to returning.

"We hope so," Howe added. "Difficult to give a definitive answer on that. No one is training with the group at the moment but some are very close." 

Here is Newcastle United's current injury list and expected return dates...