Nick Pope reportedly remains confident he can force his way back into Newcastle United’s starting XI despite falling behind Lukáš Horníček.
The 34-year-old stayed at St James’ Park after a summer exit failed to materialise, with Newcastle overhauling their goalkeeping department by signing Horníček and Ewen Jaouen.
A new report from Football Insider claims Pope remains happy to fight for his position and is not currently pushing to leave Newcastle in January.
Nick Pope waiting for Newcastle opportunity
Pope’s situation has changed since deadline day.
Read Newcastle previously reported that the goalkeeper remained at the club after a late move failed, despite being pushed out of Matthias Jaissle’s immediate first-team plans.
However, Pope has subsequently returned to the matchday squad while Jaouen has been unavailable.
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke reports that Pope is prepared to wait for an opportunity should Horníček suffer an injury or a drop in form.
That will not be straightforward.
Horníček revealed this week that Newcastle promised him the number-one role when signing him from Braga, and the Czech goalkeeper has started every Premier League game so far.
Pope has nevertheless made more than 100 Premier League appearances for Newcastle since arriving from Burnley in 2022.
His reported determination to compete therefore creates an intriguing goalkeeper battle for Jaissle as Newcastle prepare to return from the international break.
