Newcastle United's first-choice goalkeeper, Nick Pope, has been ruled out of the squad for the Premier League clash against Everton due to injury.
Team News and Official Confirmation
The club confirmed the news via its official X account, stating: 'Nick Pope misses today's game due to injury.' The post also detailed six changes from the midweek fixture, with Arsenal loanee Aaron Ramsdale named in the starting XI.
This development comes just days after Pope's performance in the UEFA Champions League match away at Marseille drew significant criticism. The goalkeeper was at fault for a costly error that contributed to Newcastle's defeat.
Mounting Pressure and Ramsdale's Opportunity
Earlier in the week, manager Eddie Howe had faced questions about Pope's form during his pre-match press briefing. The stopper has endured a difficult recent period, with multiple blunders proving costly for the Magpies, particularly in away games.
This dip in form had already led to growing calls from fans and pundits for Aaron Ramsdale to be given a chance in goal. Those calls intensified dramatically following Pope's mistake in the Marseille game on Tuesday, making his absence through injury a major talking point.
What This Means for Newcastle
Pope's absence thrusts Aaron Ramsdale into the spotlight for a crucial league match. For Pope, the injury provides an abrupt pause to a challenging spell, but the pressure to reclaim his place upon recovery will be immense. The situation leaves manager Eddie Howe with a significant decision to make regarding his long-term number one.
