Newcastle United stars appear less certain than Eddie Howe on solution to Magpies goalkeeper conundrum

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe sent a public message of support to second-choice shot-stopper Martin Dubravka on Wednesday but some Magpies stars appear to be less certain over the goalkeeping conundrum facing the side.

First-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope will have up to four months on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in last weekend's match against Manchester United. The 31-year-old will undergo surgery which will leave him racing against time to return for the end of the Premier League season and, of course, England's Euro 2024 campaign next summer.

Pope has been a mainstay in between the sticks since arriving at St James' Park for £10 million from Burnley in June 2022. The star started all but one top-flight fixture last season with Martin Dubravka filling in on the last day of the campaign against Chelsea due to a hand injury. The Slovak also came off the bench when Pope was sent off against Liverpool.

Dubravka, who has made 135 appearances for the Magpies since joining in 2018, is set to fill in for Pope over the coming months with Howe praising his second choice and quieting rumours of transfer moves for David De Gea or Aaron Ramsdale.

Howe said: "I've seen a lot of media headlines regarding goalkeepers and other players. We have not made any enquiries. If we were to recruit now we'd be recruiting in every area on the pitch.

"It's a chance for the other keepers to consolidate their positions. We really believe in Martin. Martin is a high-class goalkeeper, very good with his feet and distribution."

Dubravka is not the only option available to Howe, with former Liverpool man Loris Karius and veteran Mark Gillespie also on the books at St James' Park. Karius, who played in last season's Carabao Cup final with Pope suspended and Dubravka cup-tied, yesterday posted a snap of him in training ahead of tomorrow's meeting with Everton.

While Howe has given Dubravka a public vote of confidence, some of his Newcastle United teammates have opted for Pope replacements from elsewhere on the ever-popular Fantasy Premier League.

A number of first-team stars play the official fantasy football game with their teams uncovered by FPL Focal. Fabian Schar and Anthony Gordon are two such players, both of whom had Pope in their fantasy teams and transferred their pal out ahead of Gameweek 15.

Instead of making the obvious swap of Pope for Dubravka, and baking the £1.5m price difference, both instead brought in Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to their teams. Fulham play Nottingham Forest at home this Gameweek before welcoming West Ham and travelling to St James' Park on December 16.

Reacting to the news on X, formerly Twitter, one social media user wondered if Gordon was 'freeing up space for himself' in the game while another noted 'that sounds like a man who knows Karius is starting'.