Newcastle United training ground update after seven-week injury blow

Pope hasn’t featured for the Magpies since the 4-2 defeat at Brentford on December 7 because of a knee issue. The 32-year-old was given an initial recovery time of six weeks but that has extended into a seventh week after he missed home matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth last week.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe provided an update on Friday and revealed Pope would be “close” to making the long visit to the South Coast, if he comes through training this week.

“I think tomorrow [vs Bournemouth] might be a little bit too early but certainly he is going to be close for next week,” said Howe. “He’s not trained with us yet but he’s certainly building up to that moment.

“We’re happy with where he is at. I think mentally he’s getting there ready to play.”

Pope, however, is unlikely to start and faces the challenge of winning his place back from Martin Dubravka.

Since coming in for Pope, Dubravka has played 10 times, nine of which have ended in wins and six clean sheets. The Slovakian was expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab this month but his form meant Newcastle opened talks to keep him.

And both the club and Dubravka have reached an agreement that will see him stay beyond the January transfer window. The 36-year-old is understood to still be out of contract in June but United have rewarded him with improved terms.

After missing out on Dubravka, Al Shabab approached Newcastle’s third choice goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, however it was rejected by the Greece international.

The 30-year-old isn’t pushing to leave Tyneside, despite playing just once following his PSR-forced move from Nottingham Forest in the summer. But if he is to leave then his preference is to stay in Europe.