Nick Pope suffered a serious injury for Newcastle United at the weekend, and the early suggestions are that he’ll be out for long enough to miss their game against Arsenal.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Nick Pope of Newcastle United is helped off the pitch after suffering with an injury during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 02, 2023. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Nick Pope of Newcastle United is helped off the pitch after suffering with an injury during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 02, 2023. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope suffered an injury against Manchester United at the weekend, dislocating his shoulder in the closing stages of the contest.

Mike McGrath reports for The Telegraph that initial assessments suggest the goalkeeper will be out until deep into the campaign.

The injury is expected to keep Pope sidelined for four to five months, in a major blow to his club and to his chances of involvement with England at Euro 2024.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope receives treatment for a shoulder injury which forces him to leave the field during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 02, 2023. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope receives treatment for a shoulder injury which forces him to leave the field during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 02, 2023. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Arsenal face Newcastle United in February, on the 24th, giving Pope just two-and-a-half months to recover. With an estimated absence of between four and five months, a return in time to play at the Emirates Stadium is seemingly impossible.

As unfortunate as it is, and though he’d never say so, perhaps Pope’s injury could also be good news for Aaron Ramsdale.

Ramsdale’s fight for minutes at Arsenal seemed to put his England chances in jeopardy ahead of the Euros, but it looks like Pope also won’t be playing any matches between now and April, if not May.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Ramsdale should have at least one or two competitive games between now and then, even if he can’t displace David Raya in the Premier League starting lineup.

Arsenal’s 25-year-old England international will also be training with the ball on a daily basis while Pope works on his rehabilitation, and Ramsdale will also likely link up with Gareth Southgate’s squad in March.

So if one of the two goalkeepers is then going to drop out of that squad for the Euros, Pope may now be the more likely.