Newcastle United has shuffled its goalkeeper rotation in recent weeks depending on the competition, but an injury to Ewen Jaouen reopened a place in the matchday squad for ostracized Nick Pope behind established No. 1 Lukas Hornicek.
According to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, however, Jaouen is set to return to training ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Hull City at St James’ Park and is understood to be in contention for the match. The 6-foot-6 goalkeeper has missed Newcastle’s last three
games because of an ankle injury.
Jaouen sustained the injury in training before the 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth. His absence resulted in Pope returning to the bench after the England international was unable to secure a move away from Newcastle during the summer transfer window.
Ryder reported that Matthias Jaissle is still expected to keep faith with Hornicek as his starting goalkeeper against Hull, with a three-week international break following that game. The former Braga goalkeeper conceded four times in Newcastle’s defeat at Leeds United, but Ryder noted that Hornicek made several saves that prevented the margin from becoming even larger.
If Jaouen is fit, the former Stade Reims goalkeeper is expected to return to the bench, restoring him to the primary backup role he held before suffering the ankle problem.
That would once again leave Pope further down Newcastle’s goalkeeper hierarchy. The former Burnley goalkeeper remained with the club after the transfer deadline despite his reduced role and has recently been available as cover while Jaouen recovered.
Should Jaouen immediately return as Hornicek’s backup and the Carabao Cup starter once fully fit, or does Pope still deserve a place on the bench here and there, and perhaps starting in the cups? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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