Newcastle United star backs reserve keepers against Everton despite 'poppadom wrists' banter

Newcastle United star Callum Wilson has backed the Magpies' reserve goalkeepers to step up to the plate following injury to first-choice shot-stopper Nick Pope, despite training ground banter about 'poppadom wrists'.

The striker admitted that first-team players regularly banter with the likes of Martin Dubravka, Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie over their performances on the training ground but added that the names at Eddie Howe's disposal were ready to seize their opportunity.

Former Burnley man Pope has been a mainstay in the starting XI since arriving from Burnley last year but will miss four months of action with a dislocated shoulder sustained in the win over Manchester United last weekend. The blow comes at a crucial time for the Magpies with crunch matches in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, as well as a hectic Premier League festive period - while Pope himself will face a race against the clock to be fit for Euro 2024.

Speaking on the Footballer's Football Podcast, Wilson said: "It's massive. When you have such a positive result on the pitch, the sad thing is that you've lost your number-one goalkeeper. I think he's going to be a massive loss, no matter how long he's out and he has single-handedly kept us in games this season. When a team goes one-on-one he'll pull off a worldie save. He's that difference you need at the back.

"That's not to say our other goalkeepers can't step up now. It's their opportunity to shine, that's what football is all about. Sometimes one man's loss is another man's gain, they'll be working hard, licking their lips, trying to put their best foot forward in their absence."

Howe has backed 135-appearance Dubravka to shine against Everton and in upcoming fixtures, as the Magpies are linked with moves for former Manchester United man David de Gea and out-of-favour Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale.

Chatting with podcast co-host and West Ham United star Michail Antonio, Wilson was quizzed as to what it is like working with the back-up keepers on the training ground.

He said: "Mikey, you know as a striker, we battle the goalkeepers daily. You're doing finishing drills, you're having a laugh with them... is anyone in there? Have you not put your arms on today? You've got poppadum wrists and all this and that.

"Basically, when push comes to shove, they're all at the club for a reason. They're all there, professional, they work day in, day out for an opportunity to arise. Now it arises, second goes to first and third goes to second, people are going to get an opportunity on the bench. That's how it works. That's football. Of course, they can step in."