---
title: "Pope earns Jaissle’s backing as Jaouen injury hands keeper fresh chance"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2026/10/10/nick-pope-jaissle-backing-newcastle-jaouen-injury/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lucie Turner"
section: "Articles"
published: "2026-10-10T12:54:39Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T12:54:39Z"
---

# Pope earns Jaissle’s backing as Jaouen injury hands keeper fresh chance

*The 34-year-old was expected to leave St James’ Park in the summer, but a new injury blow has changed the picture*

## **Jaissle full of praise**

Nick Pope has won the full backing of Matthias Jaissle. He is delighted to have the goalkeeper in his Newcastle United squad. Speaking at Thursday’s pre-Coventry press conference, the head coach said he could “only think and say positive words” about the 34-year-old.

Jaissle has claimed Pope knows his job and has shown he can handle it with professionalism. In training, in friendlies and when not involved in the match. He added the keeper was a leader whose experience was sought by the squad.

Timing is everything, with Ewen Jaouen set for two months on the sidelines. He has a hamstring injury sustained on France Under-21 duty. This leaves Pope as senior backup to Lukas Hornicek.

Despite being expected to leave following the arrivals of Hornicek and Jaouen. Pope remained at the club and still has to make his competitive appearance under Jaissle, having returned to the bench for the 2-1 success at Hull City prior to the international break.

## **Bayern Munich interest**

Pope was also linked with Bundesliga side Bayern Munich earlier this week. Sky Germany reported he is one of a number of experienced goalkeepers under consideration by the German giants.

Hornicek has started six of Newcastle’s seven competitive games this season. Jaouen played the other – the 3-2 Carabao Cup win at West Brom.

That hierarchy will not change in the Premier League. Newcastle are left with one less option between the sticks with Jaouen’s absence.

## **Carabao Cup chance?**

The most obvious chance for Pope to see some action is arguably Newcastle’s Carabao Cup clash with Everton on 29 October. Jaissle may well decide to turn the bench over for the visit of his former club. This gives the experienced goalkeeper the chance to prove he still has a part to play. If the new boss decides to shake things up between the sticks, Pope could make his first competitive appearance for him.

After a summer in which an exit seemed a certainty, Pope certainly may have more football left in him in black and white. Whether or not he can carve out a place in the team is yet to be seen. The Carabao Cup could provide the perfect shop window, or whatever shade the keepers are all playing in these days.