Newcastle United continue to monitor Czechia goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek during the extended autumn international break, knowing they are on the brink of goalkeeping problems.
In a week in which Ewen Jaouen was pulled out of the France Under-21 camp due to a hamstring injury, the Magpies have continued to work with Nick Pope as their lead keeper in training alongside Wearsider Aidan Harris and long-serving stopper Mark Gillespie. The reality is if Jaouen, who has just recovered from an ankle injury, is out of the trip to Coventry City as expected, Pope will be on the bench and just a heartbeat away from the action.
Nervousness around Hornicek
It is why there is a nervousness around Hornicek's involvement with Czechia as Pope, who has not featured since May in the 2-0 loss to Fulham, would find himself recalled if the Czech star is hurt. Newcastle checked out of the transfer window without doing everything they wanted in truth.
The plan was to find 34-year-old Pope a new club after Matthias Jaissle told him he was no longer considered number 1. Newcastle did not get any offers on Pope, who continued to play during the last days of Eddie Howe.
Uncertain future on Tyneside
Had Pope been moved on, Newcastle would have drafted in a number 3 to support Hornicek and Jaouen, but they were unable to find a suitor for the England international, despite talk of Ipswich and Leeds making a move. Pope will be available for transfer in January again with the recruitment team currently looking at younger goalkeepers while on their travels.
The ex-Burnley man has been the consummate professional under Jaissle despite being told his future lies elsewhere. There is a scenario where he runs down his contract and leaves on a free agent too, although Newcastle are keen to avoid expensive exits like the one that saw Kieran Trippier leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Still a role to play
Even after the transfer window shut, there were suggestions that Newcastle would be open to offloading Pope. But after reports in Scotland that Celtic were keen on the stopper, the Hoops instead made a swoop for Sam Johnstone on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Pope's long-term future on Tyneside may well be up for debate, but Newcastle's unfinished business in the transfer window last summer means he may still have a chapter or two left to play for the Magpies. With a packed schedule on the horizon this month, Jaissle must make a call on a busy week at the end of the month that will see Newcastle face Crystal Palace away, then Everton in the Carabao Cup a few days later.
With Jaouen out with an ankle injury at Millwall, Pope remained on the bench and Hornicek stayed between the posts with no rotation used.
