Newcastle United’s £25m man delivers intriguing verdict on imminent Nick Pope signing

Newcastle United striker Chris Wood waxed lyrical about Nick Pope during an interview last year.

The pair are set to reunite at St James’ Park with Pope travelling to the North East this morning to undergo his medical ahead of his move from Burnley.

Wood was a teammate of Pope’s at Turf Moor for four-and-a-half-years before the New Zealand international sealed a £25million switch to the Magpies in January.

Pope is being brought in by Eddie Howe to rival Martin Dubravka for the No.1 jersey - and Wood has spoken glowingly about the 30-year-old.

According to Wood, Pope is the best shotstopper he’s worked with and should be England No.1 instead of Jordan Pickford.

Wood told talkSPORT: “He is one of the best keepers I’ve worked with. Shotstopping, I think he’s number one.

“He’s unbelievable at taking pressure from crosses, corners, and every year he’s been better playing out with his feet.

“Ultimately, if I’m putting a keeper in goal, I want him to stop goals, and he’s been a credit for that for us for a number of years now.

“He’s a minimum 12 clean sheets a season, and in my eyes he should be England number one.

“It’s hard to knock Pickford out of that spot, but hopefully when his chance comes along, he takes it this week.”

Pope has eight England caps after making his debut in a friendly versus Costa Rica in June 2018.