Ross Gregory believes that Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope will be ‘on the plane’ to Qatar should he keep up his rich vein of form.
The English shot-stopper has been the Toon’s top-rated player in two of their first six Premier League fixtures and ranks second in the squad for average match rating with 7.53 (SofaScore) just shy of Kieran Trippier (7.55).
His performance in the side’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City was lauded by Shay Given speaking on Sky Sports via (Teamtalk) and the 30-year-old produced heroics again as he made nine saves in last weekend’s stalemate at home to Crystal Palace.
Pope has eight caps for the Three Lions but missed the European Championships last summer through a knee injury.
However, Gregory insists that while the former Burnley man might not take Jordan Pickford’s position as no.1 he should at least be in Gareth Southgate’s squad come November.
Speaking on NUFC Matters he said: “If he continues this form that he’s showing, he’s going to be right bang in the mix for a place on the plane to the World Cup. He’s probably not going to force his way into the starting team for England. But he’s definitely going to be on the plane if he continues his form.”
Pope last featured for his country in a friendly versus Ivory Coast back in March but was on the bench during the summer’s UEFA Nations League games alongside Aaron Ramsdale.
Dean Henderson is probably the most obvious contender outside of that trio of keepers at this time but considering Pope has made the most saves in the league this season with 28 and kept a joint-high three clean sheets it’s hard to imagine he isn’t at least a part of the squad this winter.
