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Eddie Howe has backed Martin Dubravka to plug the sizeable gap left by Nick Pope as Newcastle\u2019s first-choice goalkeeper faces up to four months on the sidelines.<\/p>\n
Magpies head coach Howe\u2019s worst fears over the shoulder injury which Pope suffered during Saturday night\u2019s 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester United have been confirmed, with the 31-year-old due to undergo surgery which will sideline him for four months and leave him in a race against time to make England\u2019s Euro 2024 squad.<\/p>\n
However, the \u00a310million man\u2019s misfortune \u2013 he dislocated his left shoulder as he dived in an attempt to save a Sergio Reguilon shot \u2013 will open the door for his deputies Dubravka, Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie with the Slovakia international, who came off the bench at the weekend, the man first in line to replace him starting at Everton on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
Howe said: \u201cWe really believe in Martin and I\u2019ve always had that high opinion of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we brought in Nick \u2013 we wanted to build competition for places, we wanted to build a squad that we felt could really carry us to great success \u2013 but Martin is a high-class goalkeeper.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a brilliant shot-stopper himself, he\u2019s very good with his feet and his distribution, so no hesitation about bringing Martin into the team and I hope he does really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newcastle have been linked with a move for former Manchester United keeper David de Gea in recent days, but Howe insisted no approaches have been made.<\/p>\n
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He said: \u201cWe have not made any inquiries or any decisions about our recruitment leading into January.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a chance for the goalkeepers we have at the football club to consolidate their positions, and that will be the same for every other position at the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howe had earlier confirmed that Pope is awaiting a final decision on the way forward, but that surgery was inevitable.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe anticipate he\u2019ll be operated on \u2013 there\u2019s no doubt he needs an operation \u2013 so he will be out for a period of time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe operation hasn\u2019t happened yet, but we\u2019re thinking roughly around four months, so it\u2019s a big blow to us, but one that we expected after the game.<\/p>\n
He’s got, obviously, the Euros ahead of him as well, which he was determined to try to be involved in, and there’s still chance of that for him<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s naturally down because at this stage of the season where we have so many games, huge games coming up \u2013 he\u2019s got, obviously, the Euros ahead of him as well, which he was determined to try to be involved in, and there\u2019s still chance of that for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think his main determination is to come back for us, and you never know what situation we\u2019ll be in at that stage of the season, so it could be a lot worse for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
If Dubravka represents experience, 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley is at the opposite end of the scale, but will run out at Goodison Park also having benefited from an injury crisis which has thrust him into the limelight.<\/p>\n
Miley\u2019s last three starts have come against Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Manchester United, and he has revelled in the responsibility handed to him.<\/p>\n
Howe said: \u201cIt\u2019s not bad, is it? I\u2019ve never seen a 17-year-old do that. But nothing totally surprises me from what we saw pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just hope he continues to go from strength to strength, and I see no reason why he can\u2019t keep the high levels he has already shown.\u201d<\/p>\n